The Birthday Cuddle Dr Peter Reynolds Background Example

The Birthday Cuddle Dr Peter Reynolds

Background • Example of Family Centred care* • Higher acuity babies get “ imprisoned” in incubators, “shackled” with leads and it may be weeks before they can be held by their parents • Babies who die may never have been held We aim for every baby, whenever clinically possible, to be given a cuddle after birth * Clarke P. Family-centred care right from birth: the irreplaceable birthday cuddle. Acta Pædiatrica. 2017: 106; 1534– 1535

Decision • • • Preparents beforehand Prepare obs/midwifery staff beforehand (!) Senior neonatal support (reg, nurse, cons) Effective stabilisation / resus (we need to talk) Temperature management (we need to talk)

Staff form

Parent form

Safety – Prospective Audit Staff Mainly 5 mins achieved Did not hinder management 19/19 Baby was safe 19/19 Normal admission temperature 18/19 (36. 3 C) Blood glucose: 12(≥ 2. 0 mmol/L) 2 (≥ 1. 0 mmol/L) 2 ( 1. 0 mmol/L) 3 not recorded (grrrr!)

Safety – Prospective Audit Parents Very positive 19/19 “I was really happy to be able to cuddle him” “This was the most amazing experience of our lives” (other Twin had undergone feticide) “I got to hold my baby”

Why do it? • Positive impact on – Bonding (both parents) – Breast feeding – Coping with death

Next Steps and Aim • • Normalise and anticipate Continue safety audit Temperature management Process design to facilitate* Delayed cord clamping (5 mins) with simultaneous stabilisation then birthday cuddle * Baylis R, et al First time events between parents and preterm infants are affected by the designs and routines of neonatal intensive care units. Acta Paediatr 2014; 103: 1045– 52.

Thank you peter. reynolds 1@nhs. net