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I could have used help setting up when it was time to bring the baby home. She was early, we had nothing ready, and I was just about flipping out (she barely weighs five pounds! she's not even supposed to be born yet! I have no diapers in that size!). Assembling a Pack n' Play and rearranging furniture is not compatible with surgical recovery. I do have very strong ideas about the ideal setup for a mama who's recovering from a c/s and is bringing a preemie home. It involves a Pn'P (those bassinet and diaper changing attachments save you a lot of bending and lifting), a bed, a recliner chair, a minifridge, a microwave, and a bathroom, all within a few steps of each other.Â
A friend of mine has a domestic business that she offers Postpartum Doula services through, and although it isn't a postpartum act, she helps expecting moms set up their nurseries and get things ready for the big homecoming. A lot of times preemies are so early that you can't be prepared, but I think having someone available to help is a saving grace. We were extremely lucky that DH's family drove all the way down to GA/FL from VA in order to be there for us those first few days. As soon as I was at the first hospital, they painted DD's bedroom (even though she stayed in our room for quite some time) and took turns sitting with me after the c-section so DH could get some things bought (like my awesome pump). Later when DH's parents came back to visit, they helped put the nursery furniture together.... lots of things that seem simple but aren't what you're worried about when a preemie comes along.
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I agree with your setup for a recovering mama. I had some time to heal before DD came home 3 months later, but initially it was quite crazy at times. I felt like I'd never be able to bathe myself again, and there was no comfortable sleep in sight!
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Everyone - How could you market those services to families in the NICU... helping set up a home and supporting a preemie's family in the early days? Would the staff of the NICU or maybe doctors offices and birth centers be willing to let you promote what you do so families know about it?
