What causes premature birth?

Approximately 40,000 babies are admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) or Special Care Nurseries (SCNs) each year for a variety of reasons. Approximately 21,000 of these babies are born prematurely. About 6000 babies require critical and intensive life support each year. So what causes premature birth and what are the major risk factors for […]

Understanding NICU and SCN terminology

If you’ve given birth to a premature baby, you’ve probably heard of some of these terms. Maybe you have a friend who had a premmie, and noticed some of these terms, but don’t want to ask them exactly what everything means. Understanding Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery (SCN) terminology can help […]

The benefits of skin-to-skin contact after birth

That first cuddle with your new baby is a magical time, but did you know it’s also an important time for your health and the health of your newborn? There’s plenty of research to support the benefits of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and beyond. It is said to impact positively on parent-baby bonding, breastfeeding […]

Being the parent of a NICU/SCN baby

Parents of premature babies often feel a sense of guilt, regret and distress about how their baby arrived. Read tips for coping at this difficult time.