New service benefits Caitlyn and baby Rory
A Stirling tot and his family have been benefiting from a new service set up at Forth Valley Royal Hospital’s neonatal unit.
Mum Caitlyn Gardner from Stirling, said Transitional Care had been invaluable after her baby Rory Vincent was born prematurely.
The tot was born at 34 weeks and five days – more than five weeks short of full term – and weighed 4lbs nine and a half ounces. But after a week he had his nasogastric tube removed and was taking his mum’s milk.
More parents with babies, who would previously have been admitted to the neonatal unit, are now able to avoid being separated thanks to the introduction of the new service, which aims to keep parents and babies together.
It has also led to a 20 per cent reduction in the number of babies who need to be admitted to the unit.
Transitional Care offers support to babies with additional care needs who would previously have been admitted to the Neonatal Unit.
This includes babies who find it difficult to suck and require nasogastric tube feeds, babies with lower birth weights and tots who arrive a little early.
Having access to this service helps with bonding as the babies no longer require to be separated from their mothers while having care and lays the foundation for future relationships.
Caitlyn said: “Transitional Care has been amazing. I am young and I would have been lost without this. It has also helped us develop a strong bond with our baby.”
The Transitional Care service has been operating for a year at FVRH. According to NHS FV department manager/senior midwife Kirsty MacInnes, feedback from parents has been very encouraging.
Previously around 300 babies were admitted to the neonatal unit at FVRH from the labour ward. This applied to babies smaller than 2kg (4lbs 6 ozs) and those fewer than 36 weeks gestation. A baby weighing 1.6 kg (3lbs 8 ozs) and more than 34 weeks gestation can now stay with their mother in the hospital’s postnatal ward where they receive additional care and support.
Kirsty MacInnes said: “Parents, neonatal and midwifery staff work together to produce a treatment plan, which supports family centred care and ensures parents are fully involved in the care of their baby.
“Some babies who have been admitted to the neonatal unit can also be transferred to Transitional Care to be cared for by parents within our postnatal ward prior to going home.
“The length of time in Transitional Care can vary, with some babies remaining for a week to 10 days.”