Media Release Jul 22 2008

National ‘Premmie’ Day at Royal North Shore Hospital

Giving birth to your baby much earlier than planned can be a traumatic experience.

Fortunately the care of premature newborns has improved enormously over the last few years. The mums and dads at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) whose babies are in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) know their little ones are receiving the best care possible.

Some babies in the RNSH NICU surprised their parents by coming up to 16 weeks before their scheduled arrival date.

Prematurity can mean a battle to overcome lung disease, feeding difficulties, apnoea and jaundice

To celebrate the ongoing improvement in premature care and to coincide with National Premmie Day, the RNSH NICU is holding a special graduation party.

These tiny NICU alumni and their parents, as well as parents of babies currently being cared for in the Newborn Care Centre are invited to morning tea.

Newborns requiring extra care stay in the Newborn Care Centre an average of 20 days. However, some tiny tots stay as long as three months.

Strong friendships and support networks amongst parents are often forged during this stressful time. The morning tea will allow parents and Newborn Care Centre staff an opportunity to catch up.

In Australia, about seven percent of births are premature. While a ‘normal’ pregnancy lasts for approximately 40 weeks, premature babies are medically classified as those born before 37 weeks gestation.

Newborn Care Centre Graduate Morning Tea
Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Date: Friday 25 July 2008
Location: Vanderfield Building, RNSH

Media Contact: Kristen Bunyard 9926 7199 or 0413 025 742

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