Q1. I would choose option 1 because sometimes mothers can be transferred to the same hospital as their baby, or a later visit can be arranged/ discussion of partner and other family member visitation. Also, the neonatal nurse may be able to have a chat over the phone to better update Sarah on Theo’s progress and ask any direct questions to those caring for him.
Q2. I would choose option 2 because after hearing Sarah crying I could not just ignore her and walk past, I have a duty of care and after gaining consent to enter her private space, protecting her privacy and dignity, I would offer my support, listen to her and plan to ensure her needs are being met. I could provide advice and information on further resources she can look at independently if required.
Q3. I would choose option 2 because I would need to alert Sarah that would not be in her best interests and educate her why by calmly and professionally explaining in an approachable way, engaging with her to devise an achievable agreement, talking with the ward manager and Sarah to make an action plan. This would include facilitating more contact with Theo, increased bonding, assessment of travel arrangements for Theo dad (?funding, relative help), skin to skin contact with dad, photos and videos of Theo, which could also help when Sarah is expressing breast milk (EBM) to stimulate milk production, EBM can be expressed via portable breast pump, sent to hospital B and stored correctly in the neonatal unit, and fed to Theo via naso-gastric (NG) tube now he has had his operation which would possibly alleviate some of Sarah’s worries about later establishment of breastfeeding and what nutrition Theo is getting.
I would also direct Sarah to to the organisation ‘Tommy’s’ where she will be able to find advice and support from others in potentially similar situations and begin to explore how she can best care for Theo and herself, as a new parent.
