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NICU Social Worker with questions

meeks
0 Recommendations

Hi! I am a NICU social worker and I am attempting to create a NICU Social Work Bulletin Board (for educational purposes) for our families. Although every family is visited by a social worker, I think it would be important, for each family to have access to the information when the social workers are not available.

So far, I am thinking of including contact information and pamphlets of the resources in the area (early intervention, Ronald McD House, etc).

I would love some feedback from parents of NICU patients (past or present). What information would you have found helpful during your infant’s hospital stay?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Counseling Bereavement Whooping cough Depression Stress

13 replies

Roo_27

Inform parents about risks of whooping cough to their baby and encourage them to get a booster shot for themselves before baby is discharged.

meeks

Thanks Roo_27. I was actually looking for things that focuses on the social worker's role. If you can think of any social work topics that would be helpful.

katek

(1) Do you have information about PPD that you could post? Does your hospital have a schedule of group therapy sessions? I bring up PPD b/c it is very common with NICU moms (20-25% in population of women who have had children overall, but significantly higher in moms who have kids in the NICU according to studies).

(2) Do you have specific hours that you could post so that people would know exactly when you are available?

(3) Information on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although we didn't apply, I've read that children born 2 lbs 10 ozs automatically qualify while they are in the hospital. Afterward, the govt may decide to revoke the subsidy once household income has been established. See: http://www.comeunity.com/disability/social-security/SSI-preemie.html

chasinfoy

Yes SSI is a huge one. We were never informed of that.
Also if there are any support groups within the hospital.
Laura

24WeekMiracle

I think it would be good to have a someone that parents can talk to in confidence when they have issues regarding NICU staff....Someone who acts as an advocate for the parents and not the staff.

I was told by the socail worker that if I had any issues, to come talk with her because she was there for our family. I took her up on this one day and told her something about a staff member , I asked her to keep it confident until I left..she did not, in fact i had to deal with a confronation the next day. Even though that staff member was reprimanded, I had to deal with the after math and already had so muc going on. so it was apparent that she was representing the staff and not the parents and that was VERY unfortunate.

BarbaraK2U

Here are a few things you could post for your NICU parents:

1. Contact information for Early Intervention
2. Information on SSI
3. Information on support groups in the community for preemie parents, bereavement, PPD, etc.
4. Counseling contact information for preemie parents, bereavement, PPD, etc.
5. Stress reduction techniques
6. Parenting workshop information
7. Recommendations for parenting books, preemie books, etc.
8. Tax information for medical-related deductions
9. Advice for helping siblings cope with the addition of a preemie to the family
10. A "what to expect when your preemie comes home" information sheet. Many parents are shocked at the noises their babies make, their sleep habits, etc.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck with your bulletin board!

kristenheet

I think local places for eating, getting gas, or the closest shopping plaza for basic necessaties.
I would have loved a time that parents could socialize together and just get a break from the nicu even if just for a couple minutes. Or if you NICU is closed to parents during shift change having a place posted they can get together?
A grief counselor's number would be helpful also.

CalliesMommy

Our social worker and lactation consultants as well as nurses hadi nformation on EVERYTHING. Aboutthe NICU, common medical ailments and common medical terminology, pumping, breastfeeding, weight and feeding/types of feeds and their purposes, car seats, the policies about when an infant can go home, greif support, baby's cues, how to act in the NICU, how not to overstimulate micro preemies and what is acceptable interaction, parent groups, post partum depression, maternal post partum health, vaccines, going home on oxygen, follow up care that would be needed after discharge... etc
The social worker also had arranged guest speakers who were previous NICU parents, or who specialised in certain special needs so that we could gather and get information that way.

IansMommy

-Local Maps, restaurants close by, and unsafe places. We were from out of town, luckily we knew where not to go, I couldn't imagine getting lost and winding up in a "unsafe neighborhood".

-Where to rent a hospital grade breast pump. We spent a ton on buying a Medela Symphony and a Medela Pump In Style when we could have rented one way cheaper.

-Info on learning the NICU ropes. Like who to talk to with an issue. Visitation times. Who the head nurse is. What to do if you see an employee or visitor doing something wrong.

beckhamsmom

- WIC resources & contact information, how to qualify
- March of Dimes information, if there is a local chapter or activities
- Hotels that offer discounts for families of hospitalized family members (Grandparents found this very helpful)

HTH

cazgal

I urge you to read up on the recent studies regarding PTSD and preemie parents - especially regarding the father. During our NICU stay, 49 & 84 days for our twins, there was a lot of concern about MY well being, while my husband coped beautifully. About two-three weeks after we got home (coincidentally right around the 4 mo post birth mark) my husband had a complete break down and was diagnosed and treated for PTSD. We were lucky in that we have great doctors and resources, but I know we were blindsided by it.

meeks

Thanks everyone for some really good feedback.

lizzynorton

As mentioned by cazgal, PTSD, symptoms, where to go for help, etc. I was never aware that parents can experience this. It is six years later, and it is all coming back now that I am farther from it. It would have been helpful to know about it earlier. Also, medical assistance, in addition to SSI

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