Moms
who are not ambulatory after delivery, perhaps because of a cesarean
section or other complications, are able to see their newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
due to the new iPad initiative. The program, called BabyTime, allows
moms to visit with their infants and the medical team over a secured
Internet connection.
"BabyTime will help
bridge communication with the family and the baby's medical team and is
an excellent use of technology to help new mothers bond with their
babies, even when they cannot be physically at their babies' bedside,"
said Charles F. Simmons Jr., MD, chair of the Cedars-Sinai Department of Pediatrics
and Ruth and Harry Roman Chair in Neonatology. “When doctors and nurses
are treating a newborn in the NICU, mom can be right there asking
questions and getting updates, even if she’s on a different floor.”
Simmons
estimates that 20 to 30 percent of mothers who undergo C-sections do
not feel well enough to travel from their bed in the Labor and Delivery
unit to the NICU for the first 24 to 48 hours.
As
soon as the baby is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an
iPad is set up next to the infant’s incubator. A second iPad is
delivered to the new mother, who can log onto BabyTime twice a day.
“The BabyTime program will reduce fear and stress in the new moms as they are able to see their babies and also communicate with the doctors and nurses,” said Selma Braziel, nurse manager for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“BabyTime is an excellent
marriage of healthcare and technology, allowing us to securely use new
technology to keep our patients more informed and more comfortable
during their stay,” said Darren Dworkin, senior vice president and chief
information officer at Cedars-Sinai.
Rachel
Little was one of the first mothers to employ BabyTime. After her
daughter was born in mid-February by C-section, Little was unable to
make her way to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where her infant was
being treated. Little was eager to see her baby and hear about her
condition.
"Even though I couldn't hold her, she stopped crying when she heard me talk to her," Little said.
In
turn, Little herself was comforted by being able to hear the physician
explain the infant’s condition. "While it’s not the same as being able
to hold your baby, it was almost as good," Little said.
Just
a day later, Little was able to bond with her baby the old-fashioned
way - face to face - when her daughter was released from the NICU.
Source: Cedars-Sinai