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Covered with Love Program Provides Comfort and Hope for NICU Babies

Nurses knit blankets for Montefiore's tiniest patients

The Covered with Love Program was developed by the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses at Montefiore Medical Center to provide comfort and hope for the critically-ill babies during their care. This program is growing as maternity volume grows. Last year, the NICU staff gave out over 700 blankets. As volume continues to climb, the staff has reached out to community helpers and other staff at Montefiore Medical Center as well as their own family members. In addition, members from the community, the Quilting Angels of Somers through St Joseph's Parish in Croton Falls and the Soundview Stitchers Knitting Circle contribute blankets.

These blankets provide a touch of home and color for the critically-ill babies. This project comes from the heart and helps the whole family. Nurse manager Jeanne De Marzo, MSN, RN, is proud of the professional, caring nurses in the NICU. "They have a tremendous commitment and dedication to the unit, and to the babies they care for every day," she said. "We follow the vision of Mother Teresa, who said, 'In this life we can do no great things. We can only do small things with great love.' The Covered With Love project is one of those small efforts, one done with great love."

Newborn babies who need intensive medical attention are often admitted into the NICU. The NICU combines advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to provide specialized care for the tiniest patients.

Although about 9 percent of all newborn babies require care in a NICU, giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be quite unexpected for any parent. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and equipment in the NICU can be overwhelming.

Which babies need special care?
Most babies admitted to the NICU are premature (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have low birthweight (less than 5.5 pounds), or have a medical condition that requires special care. In the U.S., nearly 12 percent of babies are born preterm, and many of these babies also have low birthweights. Twins, triplets, and other multiples often are admitted to the NICU, as they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies. Babies with medical conditions such as heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in the NICU.

The following are some factors that can place a baby at high risk and increase the chances of being admitted to the NICU. However, each baby must be evaluated individually to determine the need for admission. High-risk factors include the following:

Maternal factors:
age younger than 16 or older than 40 years
drug or alcohol exposure
diabetes
hypertension (high blood pressure)
bleeding
sexually transmitted diseases
multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, or more)
too little or too much amniotic fluid
premature rupture of membranes (also called the amniotic sac or bag of waters)
delivery factors:
fetal distress/birth asphyxia (changes in organ systems due to lack of oxygen)
breech delivery presentation (buttocks delivered first) or other abnormal presentation
meconium (the baby's first stool passed during pregnancy into the amniotic fluid)
nuchal cord (cord around the baby's neck)
forceps or cesarean delivery

Baby factors:
birth at gestational age less than 37 weeks or more than 42 weeks
birthweight less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) or over 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces)
small for gestational age
medication or resuscitation in the delivery room
birth defects
respiratory distress including rapid breathing, grunting, or apnea (stopping breathing)
infection such as herpes, group B streptococcus, chlamydia
seizures
hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
need for extra oxygen or monitoring, intravenous (IV) therapy, or medications
need for special treatment or procedures such as a blood transfusion

Who cares for the babies baby in the NICU?
The following are some of the specially trained healthcare professionals who are involved in the care of the NICU babies:

neonatologist - a pediatrician with additional training in the care of sick and premature babies. The neonatologist supervises pediatric fellows and residents, nurse practitioners, and nurses who care for babies in the NICU.
respiratory therapists
occupational therapists
dietitians
lactation consultants
pharmacists
social workers
hospital chaplains
The members of the NICU team work together with parents to develop a plan of care for high-risk newborns.

To donate to the Covered with Love Program, makes checks payable to Montefiore Medical Center, with a note directing the funds to Covered with Love. Mail it to Montefiore Medical Center, 111 E. 210 St., Bronx, NY 10467, Attention: The Development Office.