Important information: Survivor’s Guide in Dubai’s NICU

At the moment, there is not much time to write (Spring break at the nursery is not making anything better…). And when there is (basically, when little L is in bed), I am so super tired that I often fall asleep…

A few days ago, I was about to start writing on a blog post when I had a quick look at my inbox. “Can you share this? important guide for moms in NICU (premature babies) in Dubai?” was the title of one of the numerous emails I had received. “My name is Sandrine, mom of Lucia Maria, premature baby born 29w+4 that died of an IVH grade 4 on the 10th of November 2015. After 51 days in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai…”.

I paused, not quite sure if I felt capable of reading further. But I did. I read Sandrine’s very touching story. I read it all. Being 9 months pregnant and expecting a little baby girl myself, it was hard to read it. I had tears in my eyes.

Lucia was Sandrine’s first baby. I can only imagine how hard and painful the last months, since this heart-breaking loss, must have been for this mum. Losing your baby after having carried it in your belly for months and months, after having prepared the baby room, after having bought tiny little baby clothes, after having giving birth and after having fought for her, done everything to keep her alive is too much for me to imagine at the moment…

But Sandrine did something exceptional. Something that only few mums would have done. Something that left me in complete admiration: within her sadness, she found the drive to help other mums in need. Other mums who have given birth to premature babies. Other mums who encounter the very destabilizing and frightening world of the NICU for the first time.

Sandrine wrote a “survivor’s guide” that recapitulates everything a new mum entering Dubai’s NICU should know:

• What support groups you can contact here in Dubai
• The common rules in NICU
• What happens the first day you leave the hospital and come back home without your little baby that has to stay in NICU
• What are all the machines surrounding your baby
• The logistics of having a baby in NICU (insurance issues etc.)
• Breastfeeding tips and inspirational quotes
• What to do when you are finally allowed to take your little angel back home
• A glossary about all the medical terms nurses and doctors use
• How to cope, how to be a parent
• A success story

Writing this guide kept Sandrine going. It gave her a purpose. It helped her stay focused. It was “made from tears, love and joy”, as she says. It is the print, the mark on earth her little baby girl Lucia leaves behind. She will live on through this guide – forever.

I didn’t immediately reply to Sandrine’s email. Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. No words seemed appropriate to express the pain and sadness I felt but also the admiration for this strong and touching woman, for this wonderful mum!

Then, I promised Sandrine that I would make sure to share her guide, to spread the word, to help her help as many NICU mums as possible.

And that’s what I am doing here. No other blog post I was about to write could be more important than this one.

Please have a look at Sandrine’s guide, share it with as many NICU mums as you can. Talk about it.

All this might feel very alien to you. But remember that stories like Sandrine’s don’t only happen to others. This guide might help many mums who feel alone and frightened, who don’t know how to deal with the NICU world. One day, it might help you. Or your friend. Or your sister.

Thank you, Sandrine, for this guide, for being such a strong woman and for giving hope to so many mums out there.

You can be so proud of yourself and of the wonderful mum you are to your little Lucia Maria.

xxx

Tani

Sandrine’s blog: https://nicudubai.wordpress.com/
Sandrine’s email address: [email protected]