Many parents away from babies during earthquake

14 November 2016

Many parents away from babies during earthquake

During the large earthquake in the small hours of Monday 14th November 2016 many parents were able to reach and hold their babies within seconds. However, for a number of families it was not so easy.

Every year in New Zealand, over 5,000 babies are cared for in neonatal units across New Zealand. These being babies born prematurely and/or full-term babies with health issues that require specialist care. They require 24 / 7 care and monitoring with many in specialist incubators, receiving support with breathing and other critical care.

Neil O’Styke, Executive Director of The Neonatal Trust stated “The earthquake is an extreme example of the extra stress and anxiety involved in neonatal journeys”.

“While the babies are in the very best place for their care and monitoring, and in the hands of superbly talented and dedicated staff, it will have been extremely unsettling for many parents to be away from their babies during the earthquake”

The earthquake comes just three days before World Prematurity Day (Thursday November 17th). The Neonatal Trust is using this day to raise awareness of neonatal journeys in New Zealand, and the stress they can involve.

The doctors, nurses and support staff in NICUs and SCBUs across New Zealand care for 10 per cent of babies born premature each year along with those full term babies with issues or complications that require specialist care. World Prematurity Day helps to thank and celebrate the work they do, caring for the world’s largest child patient groups.

“Each year, over 5,000 premature babies and their families make the journey through neonatal intensive care in this country. World Prematurity Day is a chance to celebrate our premature babies and raise awareness of the challenges they and their families face.”

The Neonatal Trust provides support for families with babies in a NICU or SCBU giving help in any way they can to make a difficult start to life a little bit easier.

The charity supports families and helps NICUs and SCBUs in practical ways, through providing information, providing support packs and through purchasing and/or contributing to the cost of equipment. Examples of the support can be seen here.

Babies are classified as premature if they are born before 37 weeks gestation. A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. At the extreme end, some are born very early, with several examples of babies born at 24 weeks gestation in neonatal units at the moment.

The Trust receives no government funding and so relies on the generosity of the New Zealand community to continue providing the support that they do. If you would like to donate or learn more about the support to neonatal families, please visit www.neonataltrust.org.nz/support

ENDS

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