Coalition for the Premature - 12 years of fighting for the health of the little ones. Episode 87

When a premature baby is coming into the world

When a woman hears from her doctor that her baby may be born prematurely, the world starts to revolve around one question: "What next?". The joy of pregnancy gives way to uncertainty and fear. The required hospitalisation, the need to interrupt work, and sometimes isolation from loved ones - all this becomes a daily reality that is difficult to expect and for which no one is prepared.

As experts from the "Coalition for Prematurity" say, this information always brings with it an avalanche of emotions and decisions that have to be made under pressure. At such moments it is not only medical care that counts, but also emotional support and concrete guidance from people who know what it entails. This is the moment when, instead of promises of "it will be okay", parents need real answers, empathy and an open field to ask questions - even the ones that are hardest to formulate.

Early delivery - risks and health challenges for the newborn baby

Preterm birth is associated with a number of health risks due to the immaturity of the baby's organs. Preterm babies often require intensive medical care and treatment for a variety of problems, such as respiratory failure, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotising enterocolitis or infections. Immature nervous, circulatory or respiratory systems can lead to neurological, cardiovascular, ophthalmological or nephrological complications.

Sometimes babies spend a significant part of the month visiting specialists after discharge from hospital, as their bodies require constant monitoring and medical interventions. There is still a misconception in society that a preterm baby is just a smaller version of a term baby. In reality, every system in their bodies requires special attention and long-term care. Moreover, the health care system is not always fully prepared to meet the specific needs of this patient group.

The role of the psychologist in the care of families of preterm infants

The birth of a premature baby is a challenge not only for the child, but also for its parents. Fear, guilt or grief over the lost dreams of a peaceful pregnancy and a healthy baby are emotions that both mothers and fathers face. The psychologist plays an important role in this situation, helping the parents to understand and accept the difficult feelings and supporting them in building a bond with the baby who is in the incubator.

Psychological support is equally important for fathers, often overlooked in terms of emotions. As experts point out, fathers of premature babies are sometimes burdened with additional pressures - they are expected to be a rock for their partner, to financially secure the family and at the same time deal with their own fears and insecurities. Therefore, it is important that they too are offered the opportunity to talk to a psychologist to help sort out their thoughts and emotions in the face of new challenges.

Coalition for Prematurity 

"The Coalition for Prematurity was created for parents of babies born prematurely who face challenges every day that go beyond the ordinary parenting routine. As Ela Brzozowska points out, the organisation not only provides information and emotional support, but also works for systemic changes to make life easier for families of premature babies. An example is the modification of the labour code, allowing parents of premature babies to extend their maternity leave so that they can spend more time around their baby's incubator.

The Foundation is also a place where parents can count on understanding and sharing experiences. A parent who has gone through the same journey understands the fears and challenges others face. The Coalition offers educational materials, guides on the development of preterm babies and organises social events to raise awareness of prematurity. It combines knowledge, experience and empathy to become a real support for families facing the challenges of preterm birth.

The 'Patient First' programme is available on multiple platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.