Interview at Hospital

An excerpt from the email newsletter that was based on our interview on Mother's Day.


St. Boniface HospitalWoman & Child ProgramFast Facts* More than 5,000 babies are born at St. Boniface Hospital each year* Approximately 600 of those babies will stay in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). * There are 30 cribs in the NICU, divided into four "pods," or nurseries. *The Woman & Child Program has two operating rooms specifically for mothers and babies.*13 nurses are present at all times in the NICU - that's 39 nurses each day!*21 to 23 per cent of births at St. Boniface Hospital happen via caesarian. For more information visit www.saintboniface.ca ____________________________

Top:New parents Alden Braul and Aida Vidal Vegas with son Marcos, St. Boniface Hospital Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses Lynne Vickery and Yvonne Pelletier, Stuart Murray, and Sue McMahon, Program Team Manager NICU.Bottom, Right: Aida Vidal Vegas, Alden Braul and son MarcosOn The Health Report Sunday, May 10: Nothing goes together better than mother's day and babies. And on this week's episode of The Health Report, that's just what we combined - live from the Everett Atrium at St. Boniface Hospital.Stuart Murray welcomed guest Sue McMahon, Program Team Manager for the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and two long-term NICU nurses, Lynne Vickery and Yvonne Pelletier. More than 5,000 babies are born each year at St. Boniface Hospital, and approximately 600 of those babies will require NICU care, usually due to premature birth or other complications. Some babies will stay in the unit for a few days, while others will stay for a few weeks or even months.The goal of the NICU team is to get these babies well enough to go home. Before a baby can be released, he/she must eat on their own and show steady weight gain. They must also have no breathing or cardiac problems for more than 72 hours.Working to get these babies to that point are a team of nurses, doctors, a pediatric resident, a nurse practitioner fellow, an occupational therapist, an entire respiratory laboratory and onsite respiratory therapists, audiologists, dieticians, and social workers. St. Boniface Hospital is home to the largest NICU in Manitoba, with capacity for 30 babies at a time in four nurseries, or "pods." "Our babies come from all over Manitoba, but also from outside of the province," says McMahon. "We have mothers come from Nunavut and Northwestern Ontario as well." Vickery, who has been a nurse in the unit for 22-years, says that the NICU get very close to the babies and their parents."We do refer to them as 'our babies,' and we are very protective of them," says Vickery. "We are aware that we are only caregivers, but it doesn't stop us from getting very close to the families and babies." Also joining host Stuart Murray, were new parents Aida Vidal Vegas and Alden Braun and their newborn Marcos, who spent the first three months of his life in St. Boniface Hospital NICU. "We just brought Marcos home a week ago," says Aida. "He is truly a miracle." Marcos was born three months early and is still tiny. But he is healthy and makes his presence known. "He's talkative, and once he gets going it takes awhile to quiet him," says Marcos' dad, Alden. Alden and Aida say they are very grateful for the care they and Marcos received from the staff at St. Boniface Hospital NICU. Thanks to their care, after spending months in hospital, undergoing several surgeries, he was well enough to go home, just in time for mother's day.The St. Boniface Hospital Woman & Child Program has received wonderful support in the past from donors. With funds raised through the St. Boniface Hospital & Research Foundation, the NICU has been able to purchase special incubators, special cribs, blanket warmers, and staff favorite - the Sound Ear Monitor. The Monitor lights up when the nursery volume becomes too loud for sensitive baby ears.Knitting is another popular NICU donation - the staff welcomes donations of baby blankets, sweaters, hats and mitts. Every baby takes their blankets and clothes home with them, so there is a constant need for new donations. Jean Murray, Stuart Murray's mother, is an avid knitter. Stuart shared with listeners that his mother has been knitting baby bonnets for the St. Boniface Hospital NICU for many years. To make donations in honour of your mother or loved one, in support of the NICU (or any program or research initiative at St. Boniface Hospital) you can call 237-2067 or mail Rm D1003, 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6For more information on the Health Report, or to listen to the program, please visit www.thehealthreport.ca.