Established in 1974 as a pioneer in neonatal intensive care, The Children's Hospital at Northwest Texas Healthcare System has the Panhandle's largest Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. As part of the specialized services provided, here are two ways the NICU is helping to support healthy starts.
We're focused on keeping mom and dad close to their newborn
Special camera technology in the NICU, provided through the Children’s Miracle Network, enables parents to see their babies 24/7, via secure, live streaming video that they can access on their smartphones or computers. “We give parents a user ID and password,” explains Charge Nurse Karen Chapman, RNC. The sign-in access is totally private, and parents who opt to use the camera system can share the password with grandparents and other family members and friends, if they wish.
Often, moms who deliver at Northwest live outside the area, Chapman notes. This was the case for Mayra Gonzales, who lives about two hours away and chose to go to Northwest to receive specialized care for her high-risk pregnancy.
“It’s hard,” she remembers of waiting to bring her daughter, Sophia home during the six weeks she spent in the NICU. During that time, Gonzales stayed at the Ronald McDonald House® and visited the NICU daily, while her husband stayed at home with their son, and went to see them on weekends.
Gonzales says that being able to see their daughter on the NicView™ cameras was a great comfort. “Before I’d go to sleep, I’d watch her to make sure she was okay,” she recalls.
Today, Sophia is busy trying to keep up with her big brother, who turns 9 this year. He was also born prematurely at Northwest and received care in the NICU. Both children are doing great.
Gonzales gets emotional when she thinks back on those early days. Even though it was hard, the staff in the NICU supported her family, and she knew her babies were in good hands. “Northwest was where my doctors told me to go the first time, but the second time it was my choice,” she says. “It’s where I wanted to be.”
Taking extra time for cuddling helps support babies and parents!
The Cuddle Program at the hospital was started more than a decade ago to provide caring volunteers who can hold sick or premature infants when mom or dad can’t be there themselves. “We know that babies grow when they’re sleeping,” says Child Life Specialist Becky Imel, MA, CCLS. Cuddling can help get them into that good sleep, she says. “That’s when their best growth happens.” For parents who live out of town or who cannot be at the hospital due to work or other personal demands, the program can be comforting.
Judy Solomon, a grandmother and retired teacher, says she got involved as a volunteer with the program 10 years ago because she loves babies and wanted to do something to “help and bless others.”
“Cuddling allows me the opportunity to not only comfort and help the babies, but it also aids the parents and nurses. I view it as a ministry,” she says.
Imel notes that all of the cuddlers receive special training, immunizations and a background check, and there’s an extensive waiting list of people who want to volunteer. “Everyone is working toward the same goal of caring for the babies in the NICU,” Imel says.