October 21, 2015
Story by Kerri Robins; photo courtesy Judi Groening
GRANDE PRAIRIE — Judi Groening couldn’t believe it when she went into labour 10 weeks before her expected due date.Judi Groening and Jeff Derksen hold their baby Annistyn, born 10 weeks early, who benefited from the Drager Isolette, a neonatal incubator that provides a temperature-controlled environment.
“At first the doctors thought I had appendicitis, and I really didn’t think I was in labour or going to have a caesarean section,” says the 22-year-old Groening. “The next thing I knew I was being prepped for emergency surgery and Annistyn was born on April 7.”
While the C-section happened in Edmonton, the La Crete mom and baby were transferred to Queen Elizabeth II Hospital (QEII) in Grande Prairie near home a couple of weeks later. For the first five weeks of life, Annistyn required a temperature-controlled environment to thrive, so she was placed in a neonatal incubator.
Around the time Annistyn was born, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the hospital was awaiting its own newest arrival — the Drager Isolette — a warming incubator that boasts state-of-the-art features to provide a life-sustaining environment for critically ill newborns. It joins eight other incubators on the NICU.
The Drager Isolette’s technology gives newborns a thermo-regulated microenvironment that helps maintain their body temperature and protect against infections.
Dianne Sweetman, pediatric and NICU unit manager at the hospital, has nothing but praise for the new piece of equipment.
“Neonatal incubators are great because they provide a safe, warm and quiet healing environment for these little babies,” she says.
“The unit provides easy access to baby because the portholes allow us to care for baby without opening up the large door and letting the warmth out.”
It’s also equipped with poles to support intravenous and oxygen equipment with easy access to the mattress tray that baby lies on. The unit can be easily accessed from both sides.
Not only is the incubator compact and portable, it’s also an ergonomic dream.
“The unit is adjustable for height and moves up and down by simply pushing a button — so anyone from five- to six-feet tall or more can comfortably care for baby,” says Sweetman.
Groening agrees.
“With the incubator, you can have your baby beside you without having to take them out of their cosy warm bed — and it’s the best thing being able to sit with baby and caress them and keep really close to them,” she adds.
Groening says that Annistyn, fortunately, thrived quickly, thanks to her time in an incubator.
“I’m happy the hospital has this new equipment because I know how important they are after seeing my little girl spending time in it and doing so well,” says Groening.
The equipment comes thanks to $20,000 raised through the QEII Hospital Foundation from last December’s radiothon, hosted by 2Day FM in Grande Prairie.
Mark Michalyshen, Chair of the QEII Hospital Foundation, says he’s happy with the incubator technology, and grateful that his community stepped up to the plate to make it available.
“It’s a great honour to have worked with 2Day FM raising money for this important piece of equipment, and for our friends at Dirham Homes who helped us reach our goal at the last hour,” he says. “I’m truly grateful for the care and compassion I see in our community and can’t thank community members enough for this gift.”
For more information, please visit qe2hospitalfoundation.com
