4th Trimester Project

A Village for Mothers

NICU & Special Needs Babies

Some babies come into the world needing extra medical care. The level of care they need can vary widely – from a few checks in a small intensive care nursery to many weeks and even months in a large specialty hospital. This can be very frightening for mothers and families. At a time when many people are feeling bliss, moms and families with infants in the hospital have a wide range of feelings, including a lot of fear and worry. You are not alone! It is estimated that 13% of all babies born are admitted to intensive care nurseries every year in the US.

This unexpected start to a new parenthood journey can be overwhelming and spark a lot of emotion during an already challenging time. New mothers with hospitalized babies ALL need extra support and care.

If your baby was born with a condition that is rare and that you might not understand there are two websites that might be helpful to you: The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center offers a searchable database and resources and the DiseaseInfoSearch site that can be very helpful as well.

Learn about "Care for NICU Families" work at UNC.

Topics in NICU & Special Needs Babies

Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss

Apr 19, 2023
Childbirth Trauma  Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control.  Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]

Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss

Childbirth Trauma  Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control.  Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]

Transitioning Home from the NICU

Mar 31, 2023
Taking your baby home from the birthing facility is an exciting and joyful event. This transition can also cause anxiety and feelings of nervousness, especially for parents of babies that have needed extra care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Getting settled in these situations, whether your baby was in the hospital for a […]

Transitioning Home from the NICU

Taking your baby home from the birthing facility is an exciting and joyful event. This transition can also cause anxiety and feelings of nervousness, especially for parents of babies that have needed extra care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Getting settled in these situations, whether your baby was in the hospital for a […]

The Balancing Act

Mar 31, 2023
While it is hard for new moms to balance taking care of a newborn, themselves, and other children / family members, this becomes very challenging with a baby in the hospital. Some moms struggle with the need for sleep as well as the need for being in the NICU with their baby. Some families have […]

The Balancing Act

While it is hard for new moms to balance taking care of a newborn, themselves, and other children / family members, this becomes very challenging with a baby in the hospital. Some moms struggle with the need for sleep as well as the need for being in the NICU with their baby. Some families have […]

Taking Care of You

Mar 31, 2023
Women with infants in hospital intensive care nurseries (also called units) are more likely to have had a c-section, a scary birth experience, and to have chronic health conditions compared to other moms. At the same time, moms are often so intensely focused on their babies, that they (and others) forget about their own well-being. […]

Taking Care of You

Women with infants in hospital intensive care nurseries (also called units) are more likely to have had a c-section, a scary birth experience, and to have chronic health conditions compared to other moms. At the same time, moms are often so intensely focused on their babies, that they (and others) forget about their own well-being. […]

Managing the NICU Environment

Mar 31, 2023
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are all designed differently. Some have private rooms where moms and babies stay together – with beds for moms. Others may have many infants in a single room or pod and hardly even a comfortable chair available much less a place to sleep. Regardless, NICUs often have a lot of […]

Managing the NICU Environment

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are all designed differently. Some have private rooms where moms and babies stay together – with beds for moms. Others may have many infants in a single room or pod and hardly even a comfortable chair available much less a place to sleep. Regardless, NICUs often have a lot of […]

Premature Birth and Breastfeeding

Mar 31, 2023
Premature (early) birth (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) can be a hard experience for a mother and family. In the United States, 1 in every 10 infants are born preterm to non-Hispanic White mothers. The rate of preterm birth is greater for non-Hispanic Black mothers. After preterm birth, many babies need additional support. […]

Premature Birth and Breastfeeding

Premature (early) birth (babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) can be a hard experience for a mother and family. In the United States, 1 in every 10 infants are born preterm to non-Hispanic White mothers. The rate of preterm birth is greater for non-Hispanic Black mothers. After preterm birth, many babies need additional support. […]

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