Have you had a premature or sick baby cared for on a neonatal/special care unit. Taking your baby home can be the best day and yet also the worst day as you are suddenly on your own. No one understands what you have been through and there are so many questions you need the answer to.
Having the chance to meet up with other parents is the best support that you can get. You can share your worries, find out how other people have coped, get support, and by seeing babies that are older than yours you can at last see the light at the end of what was a very dark tunnel
A new network of support groups for families who have had a premature or sick baby is being set up in Cheshire. These groups are the result of joint working by Bliss, the Cheshire Neonatal Network and Mothers' Union. The first four groups are based in Chester, Frodsham,Neston and Pensby and a new group is to start in Middlewich in the late Spring. The aim of these groups is to provide somewhere where parents and /or grandparents can come and share their concerns and worries and be listened to by people who know what it is like to have had a baby on a neonatal unit.
If you live in the area do come along. One lady came who had a premature baby 26 years ago. After talking to the other mums about her feelings of guilt, anguish and loneliness said at the end of the morning.' I have laid a few ghosts to rest today'.
Talking, listening and sharing works.
For more information on locations and timings of meetings check out the Bliss website at www.bliss.org.uk/branch.asp?section=720&itemTitle=North West
or the Mothers' Union Chester website
www.mothersunionchester.co.uk/projects.php#quiz8