One in every 10 babies born in the U.S. is admitted to a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) because of premature birth or another medical condition. Having a baby hospitalized in a NICU, can be frightening, confusing and overwhelming for parents. In conjunction with its national Prematurity Campaign, the March of Dimes has developed NICU Family Support to provide information and comfort to those families in crisis. 

Guided by former NICU families, the program is built on a family-centered philosophy and is implemented nationwide through March of Dimes chapters. It addresses the needs of parents, siblings, grandparents and the extended family throughout the hospitalization, during the transition home and in the event of a newborn death. NICU Family Support also includes a  professional development component that provides NICU staff with educational opportunities to help them sensitively support families on a daily basis. Our NICU Families Web site offers 24-hour access to information, resources and online communities.

Components That Make the Program Unique

• A part-time March of Dimes NICU Family Support specialist with NICU experience who works with families and staff.
• A volunteer Parent-Professional Action Committee that guides program selection, development and implementation.
• A base of March of Dimes volunteers who provide parent-to-parent support to families within the NICU setting. 
• Sensitive and engaging educational materials that introduce parents to the staff, equipment, procedures and conditions that they may encounter in the NICU. For more information about our materials, visit our online product catalog. 
• Customized programs developed to serve the specific needs of each NICU and the populations it supports. They include support and preparation for those with high-risk pregnancies, information and support for siblings and the extended family, support for Spanish-speaking families, a photo keepsake program, easing the transition from NICU to home, and bereavment support. 

Online Resources

• March of Dimes Share Your Story Web site, the place where NICU families connect with each other, share their stories, and participate in online communities
• March of Dimes NICU Families Web site, information on making the NICU experience more manageable for families
• March of Dimes Spanish-language Web site, culturally relevant information for Spanish-speaking NICU families

December 2007

 

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additional support provided by...
PerkinElmer
Dey LP