Two neonatal nurses from Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust have started up a support group for local mums with premature babies at Castle Vale Children’s Centre.

The fortnightly sessions provide a safe environment for mums and dads to go with their newborns where they can get advice from the nurses and meet other parents with premature babies.

Neonatal nurse, Stacey Shaw said: “Recently we have developed a community nursing team whose job it is to get the babies home earlier and finish off the nursing care in the home with their parents.

“As part of this role we noticed that parents were so very isolated as they had babies on home oxygen, tube feeds or who are simply too small to go out and about.  It can often be daunting to have a premature baby, which is more vulnerable to infection, so as well as providing somewhere nearby that local parents can take their babies to play, the support group is a great place for them to ask any questions they may have and the reassurance they need from the nurses as well as speak to other parents going through similar experiences.

“It’s a place mums and dads can go where they can get away from the Hospital environment.  By getting this support, parents experience fewer problems, which results in healthier and happier babies.”

Dean Hewitt from Yardley has been to every session since the support group with his seven month old, Destiny, who was born three months prematurely at Heartlands Hospital.  He said: “As well as getting me out of the house, it is good to have someone to ask if we have any concerns or questions about monitoring Destiny’s oxygen.  The support group provides an invaluable service.”

The support group is held every on a Wednesday of every fortnight at Castle Vale Children’s Centre, from 10am – 12pm. Call 0121 424 2722 for more information.