November is Prematurity Awareness Month

Posted by Joyce Hoffmann on November 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

According to the March of Dimes website, “543,000 babies are born premature each year,” and parents across the country are fighting to save their children’s lives. Babies born too early and too small struggle to stay alive.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and because we at Primary Pediatric Management, Inc. work so closely and directly with families who are working through these challenges, we wanted to share some of the facts with you.

  1. One out of every eight babies is born prematurely in the United States.
  2. Read the 9 questions every women should ask her doctor before she becomes pregnant.
  3. Preterm labor occurs when a woman goes into labor before 37 weeks. Share this list of signs and symptoms of preterm labor with any women you know who are having a baby.
  4. For families who do have a baby in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), the following quick reference guide for parents of a premature baby can help with the terminology.
  5. Caring for a preemie at home can be daunting for many parents. This page helps parents address some of the most common challenges when caring for a preemie.

Help spread the word about Prematurity Awareness Month to friends and family members. Let’s work to reduce the rates of premature births in the United States.

You can also find out more about how Case Managers Help with Preemies or call Primary Pediatric Management, Inc. at 314.963.1307 or toll free at 877.734.PEDS (7337) for more information and a free 15-minute consultation with our case management specialists.

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Premature Baby? How Case Managers help parents with preemies

Posted by Joyce Hoffmann on November 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

Imagine trying to think of anything beyond the present moment if you have a premature baby lying in an incubator attached to tubes and monitors fighting for his or her life.  Fortunately, with a case manager by your side, your load should be a little easier to bear; and taking care of your preemie once you are home will seem less daunting.

During the hospital stay

Ideally, a case manager is assigned very shortly after the birth of a premature baby.  Because most preemies will be in the hospital for an extended amount of time, a case manager will visit with the parents on a weekly basis to see how they are coping.  The case manager will also be in close contact with the hospital for clinical updates on how the baby is doing, any complications, what’s being done about any unexpected problems, and how close they are getting to discharging the infant.  A case manager can also interact with families to help them understand what they can normally expect when their baby is in the hospital and even give them guidance on what kind of questions they should be asking.  Helping parents understand what is going on with their premature baby can provide a huge relief during a stressful situation.  Working closely with the parents enables the case manager to make huge strides toward establishing a relationship with them.

Home Visits

An important next step is a home visit by the case manager to assist the parents in readying their home for their new arrival (when included in the plan coverage). The case manager will work with the hospital to find out what the family will need when the preemie is discharged.  It is then the CM’s job to help the family make an educated decision on what suppliers to use for any needed equipment and/or what resources are available to the family, such as First Steps.

All of this assistance is at the heart of case management; but just as importantly, the goal in the end is to educate the family enough so they no longer need to rely on a case manager to care for their premature baby.  In the end, a case manager wants and encourages the new family to reach a point of confidence and self-sufficiency so she can move on to the next family in need.

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