Staying in Pagia

The structure and conduct of the funeral

Premature babies in Israel are usually made up of several rooms. Premature babies who are in more critical condition are treated in intensive care, and older or more stable preemies are treated in the recovery rooms. In intensive care, there should be a relatively small number of preemies under the care of each nurse, due to the need for close monitoring. There will be cases where you will be asked to leave the room due to the admission of a new preemie, treatment of your preemie, or treatment of one of his roommates. Please obey the staff's instructions and do not be a burden during these difficult moments. If you feel the desire and need to stay by your child's side during any treatment, it is your right and your ability to convey the message to the care team in a pleasant - but clear - manner.

In the extension rooms, there are more premature babies under the responsibility of each nurse, as the treatment is generally less demanding and urgent. This room is another stop on the way to your discharge. Try to look at your child and not at the monitor. Sometimes the monitor does not measure correctly for various reasons (the child moves, the electrode moves, etc.), and sticking to the monitor causes pressure that may be unnecessary. The medical staff knows how to "filter" the sounds and wheezing, and respond accordingly. All you have to do is look at whether the child's skin color is normal, and whether he is acting normally.

The parent in the preterm labor

The period of postpartum depression presents the parent with a difficult task, full of feelings of guilt, repression, and crying. However, each person reacts differently to the situation and experiences it with varying degrees of severity. If you feel that you are unable to cope, need support or reinforcement, do not hesitate to talk about it with the postpartum social worker or a psychologist. There is no doubt that you are going through one of the most difficult periods in your life, so do not be ashamed of the need to talk, share, and tell.

Some have compared the stay in the maternity ward to a roller coaster ride, sometimes it's up and sometimes it's down, and there's no way to predict the next round. Try to always remain optimistic. This will help both the premature baby and the medical team. Remember, even though the stay in the maternity ward is not easy, look around you. You are surrounded by a team of doctors, nurses, and nursing staff who give their heart and soul. It's always worth finding the time to read those thank-you letters that usually hang in the hallways of the maternity ward. Through them, you will find that many parents have had difficult experiences and that in time, all the effort and difficult moments you go through are worth it!

Try to gather information from everyone: parents of older premature babies, the medical team, the medical record, the follow-up page, the hotline, online support groups ("Parents of Premature Babies Official Group | Lahav Association" on Facebook, "Lahav Association - For Premature Babies in Israel" page on Facebook) and also from the association's website. The more you know, the more you will understand. There are fixed phrases that people tend to say following a premature birth. Don't forget that the situation is also difficult for those around you and they don't know exactly how to help and what to say. Don't judge them harshly for things they say, but it is advisable to maintain a certain distance from people who create negative feelings in you at a time like this. The most important thing right now is the premature baby, everything else can be postponed until later.

Premature birth is a traumatic event for the mind, and often for the body as well. The physical condition of a mother who has suffered from severe preeclampsia or who has been lying down for a long time while maintaining pregnancy is different from the physical condition of a normal mother. Carefully screen visitors, and try to conserve strength for the exhausting journey that involves numerous tests, follow-ups, and special vaccinations (you can read about all of these in the following chapters). If the mother is unable to make it to the postnatal clinic (due to infection, pain, etc.), it is possible and advisable to ask the partner or the staff to take a picture of the baby.

Don't be surprised or embarrassed if you don't feel an immediate crush on a premature baby. These are feelings that may also accompany a normal birth when the baby weighs three kilograms, and they are certainly natural when the baby is so small and connected to many devices, and certainly if there is a danger to its life. This feeling is expected to come later, but it is possible and advisable to discuss it with professionals if you feel the need to.

It is a good idea to prepare a "baby bag." It should be a large bag that will contain everything you will need during your stay in the baby room – feminine hygiene supplies (after birth), pumping accessories, dish soap if necessary, food and drink, and reading material for pumping time.

In government hospitals, parents of premature babies are entitled to a full exemption from paying for parking. Other hospitals may also allow special parking arrangements. Check with the treating staff, who will refer you to the appropriate person at the hospital.

The medical team and you

During your stay in the maternity ward, you are exposed to doctors and nurses who work under enormous pressure and save lives. In light of the sensitive situation that has arisen, we have put together some tips for you to ease your interaction with the medical and nursing staff:

Despite the workload, when a question arises in your mind about your baby, try to get an answer from the medical and nursing staff. If the staff is busy, accept it with understanding, write down the question for yourself if necessary, and contact them when they are free.

Keep in mind that it will not be possible to understand all the data and facts without a medical background in general and a background in neonatology in particular.

Please remember that getting to know your baby is very important. Despite the wealth of information available to the doctor and/or nurse, there are details that only you will know or remember about your baby, and sometimes these details are very important; for example, the doctor knew how much food your baby received at the last meal, but did not always know when the amount was last increased.

If there is any unusual behavior or phenomenon that you notice in your baby, it is better to inform the medical team than to keep the information to yourself.

It is recommended that you read your baby's medical information, which is organized into two files:

The medical file (which is entrusted to the doctors).

The nursing file (which contains the nurses' beliefs).

Please note: Medical information is accessible to you by virtue of the Patient's Rights Law, 5756-1996. Sometimes, review is only possible in the presence of the medical team, usually in order to obtain clarifications on things that are not clear to you and to prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary problems. Therefore, we recommend that you inquire about the medical procedures regarding the manner of reviewing the files.

If the premature baby is hospitalized for a long time, it is recommended to ask to speak with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist from the department during the hospitalization and before discharge, in order to consult on the correct way to lift and lay the premature baby. As for staying outside the neonatal unit, it is recommended to consult whether a carrier can be used, and if so, which carrier, all depending on your baby's medical condition.

You can call the maternity ward at any time of the day or night (except during doctor's office hours). It is possible that the time you called is when a new maternity ward is being received or first aid is being provided, so be patient and if your call is not answered, try calling again later and show understanding.

If you are taking part in caring for your baby, such as changing a diaper, please make sure with the nurse that she is aware that you are caring for him and that there is nothing preventing you from doing so. For example, you want to change a diaper, but at that very moment she was going to do blood tests. It is important that you are coordinated.

If you are interested in holding your baby using the "kangaroo" method (see details below), please make sure that the medical and nursing staff agree to this. Do everything in coordination with them.

You and the medical team share a lot of time together. We remind you that the team will always be happy to hear that you appreciate the dedicated care your baby receives, if that is how you feel.

When you are asked to leave the nursery, for whatever reason, try to be understanding. Each nursery has its own procedures for when parents are asked to leave: such as when a new premature baby is admitted to the nursery or when another premature baby is intubated. Behind each procedure is a logical consideration designed to facilitate the functioning of the team and bring about its success or to preserve the privacy of the individual. Even if at that moment you really want to stay with your baby, please leave as soon as you are asked and do not delay.

There is usually a lot of congestion in the premature baby room. Even if it is crowded and unpleasant, please show understanding towards the medical and nursing staff. When you are asked to move slightly to allow a staff member to access your baby or the neighboring premature baby, cooperate.

Hygiene and privacy

Premature babies are extremely vulnerable and can easily contract diseases and infections. Therefore, premature babies are particularly careful about hygiene, visiting, and privacy rules, in order to expose premature babies to the minimum necessary number of people, diseases, and infections that may come from outside. Check what the premature baby's procedures are regarding visits and follow them. The procedures were determined logically and thoughtfully, mainly due to the risk of contracting infectious diseases that your premature baby and other premature babies face.

Try to adhere to the established visiting procedures and over time, a wider circle of family members may be allowed to visit. All of this, in coordination with the staff, of course. Please maintain the privacy and hygiene of other premature babies, as you would want them to maintain yours. Avoid stopping and talking near a neighboring incubator, and it is recommended that you do not touch or pass diapers or other personal items between you.

When you are in the premature baby's room, wash and disinfect your hands according to the ward's procedures at every opportunity. Infection is one of the biggest enemies of premature babies, and by washing/sanitizing your hands we reduce the risk of infection. Keep the environment around the incubator as clean as possible.

Keep it clean! Lives depend on it!

Your care for your baby

Depending on the condition of the premature baby, at a certain point, the staff will be interested in sharing routine care with you (bathing, taking temperature, changing diapers, feeding, etc.). This is also a necessary condition for discharge. Make sure that you are sure that you are doing things correctly, do not be afraid to ask for guidance, direction and additional assistance in these activities. Even if you have not yet been guided, if you feel ready, you can offer to help the staff in caring for your child. In most cases, the staff will appreciate your desire, and will give you more and more roles according to your willingness, combined with an assessment of your ability and your child's medical condition.

Everything you do for your child is the beginning of his care: holding the syringe from which he eats, building the bed on which he lies, ensuring a drawer full of necessary equipment, sterilizing a pacifier - these actions can often be performed in the first few days of prematurity.

Share with the team your willingness to perform these actions. The postpartum period is like a parenting internship, especially if this is your first child. Learn about performing the care activities and experience them as much as possible. This way, you will arrive at the time of discharge more confident and relaxed in your functioning at home with the baby.

Parents of twins and triplets

You are not alone! For some of you, this is your first parenting experience. Not only is it an exciting and amazing experience in itself to be a parent, for you it is doubly or even tripled! And here you are taking your first steps as parents of twins or triplets, but you are premature.

This is definitely not an easy situation, and we have several ideas for you to make your stay and that of your babies easier:

Try not to compare your babies. Each twin or triplet has its own medical data and there is no point in comparing them.

Be sure to wash your hands and change your gown when you move from one baby to another (or a third…). It is very important to wash your hands and change your gown to prevent infections.

It is recommended to sing to your babies. If you sing, then both/all three of them will enjoy it…

Your babies will not always be in the same space or room in the nursery. It is certainly not easy. At the same time, be understanding and try to divide your time together in a way that seems most appropriate to you. It is natural to feel guilty at these moments, and if you feel the need, consult with the nursery social worker or a psychologist.

Try to ensure that during part of your stay at the maternity hospital, another family member stays with you in accordance with the maternity hospital's family member policy (check whether grandparents are allowed). Having your partner or family member stay with you can greatly help you feel that you are not alone with the twins/triplets.

For mothers who are pumping milk for twins/triplets: First, congratulations! Second, if you feel that your milk supply is lacking, consult with the lactation consultant at the maternity hospital regarding milk enrichment extracts. Taking them (after consulting a doctor, of course) may improve milk production and make things easier for you. If necessary, check with the medical team or the association's website to see if one or more of your children meets the criteria for receiving a breast milk donation from the National Milk Bank.

For any questions or problems, you can always contact the hotline for support: 03-9533935.

In the womb – questions and answers

During the postpartum period, many questions arise, many concerns arise, and countless doubts arise...
A number of questions and answers are presented here to assist and provide an initial response to the issue.
We would love to hear suggestions for additional topics that you thought were missing from the site.

Who is allowed to visit the maternity ward?
In principle - due to the fear of infections - only father and mother.
Practically - many premature babies allow visits with varying frequency for brothers and sisters, and grandparents.
We must clarify the preterm birth policy and understand that refusal on this issue is not arbitrary but is intended to ensure the safety of our children.

Can I insist on staying in the room while my child is being cared for?
According to the Patient's Rights Law, you are considered the guardian of the premature baby and you are entitled to accompany your children during medical procedures.
This is except in cases where the team believes that your presence may interfere with proper operation or that another activity is being performed at the same time and due to privacy concerns, the team asks you to leave.
But as a general rule, you are responsible for your children and will usually be allowed to stay with them.

Am I entitled to parking arrangements at the hospital?
All government hospitals are required to provide completely free parking,
However, hospitals owned by the General Health Fund are not subject to this obligation.
Usually, you should contact a social worker about the matter.

How important is maintaining hygiene at the entrance to the ward?
Hygiene is the most important issue in the neonatal unit because infections are the number one enemy of our children.
You must strictly follow the instructions of the maternity ward staff regarding hand washing, wearing gowns, and more.
The issue of limiting the number and type of visitors is also significant.

Can I request a transfer to another maternity ward?
If for some reason you do not want your child to continue to be hospitalized in the current nursery, you can request that he be transferred to another nursery as long as he can be transferred without harming his medical condition.
In order to do so, you need a daycare that will agree to accept your child (you must contact them yourself and request it) and then you need approval (verbal or written) from the director of the daycare center to which you wish to transfer and transfer it to the current daycare director.
If you encounter any problems regarding this matter, do not hesitate to contact the HaHav Association.

What is "kangaroo" and how can I do it?
Kangaroo care is a method of parental care that was discovered due to a shortage of incubators in Colombia and the use of a parent as a "human" incubator.
It was discovered that body-to-body contact clearly improves the newborn's indicators, and throughout the Western world, this technique began to be introduced in addition to traditional treatment.
In Israel - most premature babies and most nurses support "kangaroo care", but there may still be cases of resistance due to ignorance or lack of understanding.
In these cases, we recommend that you expose the nurse/doctor to data that he/she does not know, thereby improving not only the care of your children but also those who come after them. We will be happy to assist with information on the subject.

When will we be released home?
This is of course the "million dollar question"
First – remember that each child is unique and if one child was released under certain conditions, it does not mean anything about a second child.

Second – there are basic conditions that the child must fulfill, and they are:
A. Independent breathing
B. Maintaining body heat
C. Independent eating
Third – there are conditions that the newborn's family must fulfill, and these are:
A. Basic care skills (diaper changing, feeding, bathing)
B. Specific care capacity - according to the newborn's requirements, there are premature babies in whom, in order to be released, the family must present the car seat in which they will take their child out of the hospital.
For the most part, meeting these requirements occurs around two kilograms of weight and around the 37th week of pregnancy (so to speak).
Of course, there may be fluctuations in weight and the week of birth due to the unique situation of the family, the newborn - and sometimes due to the needs of the premature baby.

Am I entitled to see my child's medical record?
According to the Patient's Rights Law, you are entitled to see your child's medical record.
In most cases, you will be asked to schedule an appointment with a senior physician to review the file, in order to prevent misunderstandings that may arise due to the medical language in which the file is worded.