Support for Parents of Preterm Birth — Postpartum Wellness Center / Boulder

Mumsy Pop February 15, 2023

0 0 3 minutes read

The experience of a preterm birth can be very difficult for families. Along with navigating the possible medical concerns involved with a baby born before term, the experience of premature birth can pose emotional challenges for parents and families. Preterm birth can cause great stress for parents as they navigate the postpartum period and first contact with their child within the medical system. Preterm birth can certainly be scary, and having the right support can be crucial in fostering positive outcomes for families of preterm babies.

What is considered a preterm birth?

Preterm birth is considered any birth that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Currently in the US, preterm births comprise 1 in every 10 babies born. The preterm birth of a baby can affect the full development of various organs, and it can result in conditions such as low birth weight, breathing difficulties, vision or hearing problems. After birth, babies born preterm, or ‘preemies’, are usually cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. During this time, they are monitored as they reach full gestational development.

Navigating emotional waters.

Parents of preemies in the NICU are often faced with many mixed emotions and feelings of stress. Some parents may feel guilty internally about a preterm birth or feel out of control seeing their baby in intensive care. The feeling of anticipation and joy of meeting their baby can be overwhelming. Waves of worry or sadness may be present. Parents may struggle to feel connected to their baby who is separated from them early in the postpartum period, or they may already feel a deep connection.

Often, all of these feelings can exist simultaneously. Although some feelings may be disturbing, none of them are wrong or bad. These are normal responses to a stressful experience. And in navigating these experiences, the right support can be crucial in helping a person cope, process, and deal with the obstacles at hand. With the right tools, community, and strategies, parents of preterm babies can experience healing and resilience in the face of adversity.

Community Resources and Networks

Having a strong community network can be crucial in setting parents of preemies up for success. In some cases, new parents of preemies may not have family or friends living near them, and this can create feelings of isolation during a difficult time. Premature parents may also feel isolated from their experience, and may find it difficult to connect with their family and friends who have not experienced preterm birth.

There are several organizations that aim to offer connection, support, and network for preterm families. Some hospitals offer “buddy systems” for parents of NICU babies, where parents are paired up and can help support each other. It’s helpful to check your hospital’s offerings and resources for families of preemies.

There are also several national networks that offer resources and support for parents of preemies:

Love for Lily is a local organization based in Boulder, CO that supports families with children in the NICU. They offer resources such as essential bags for NICU stays and grants to ease the burden of intensive care. This organization also offers facilitated support groups that offer practical coping skills and community connection.
Graham’s Foundation is a wonderful resource created by parents of preemies. They offer several resources for families, including a Preemie Parent Mentor program, the opportunity to connect with other preemie parents, grief and loss support, and also NICU support resources. They also offer care packages designed for parents of preterm babies at home.
Hand to Hold is a national nonprofit dedicated to offering preemie parents with emotional support, community support, and education. They currently offer support groups, peer mentor programs, a podcast with educational and supportive content. They offer resources free of charge for parents.
Postpartum Wellness Center Boulder offers perinatal and maternal mental health counseling that can help preterm parents both process and feel their experiences. At PWCB, we also offer monthly community events and virtual support groups for new parents, which can offer a space for parents of preemies to connect with other new parents.