Bliss

Do you know a parent with a baby currently on the neonatal unit? Send them a message of encouragement and hope with Hallmark’s new range of cards designed with parents and babies on the neonatal unit in mind.
As featured on Good Morning Britain, 20p from the sale of each card will go directly to Bliss. https://www.hallmark.co.uk/blisscards/

"Happy six month birthday to our beautiful ray of sunshine. The strongest, bravest, happiest and most beautiful girl in the world." Violet's mum is running the Great North Run for us. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/k- lewis8 #MilestoneMonday

Our introduction to neonatal care information has been so popular with parents and units! You can read it online or order it from the shop – https://shop.bliss.org.uk/?p=support-blis s/shop
Where did you find support in your first few days on the unit? We’d love to hear your experiences.

Last chance to apply - we're looking for a Healthcare Training and Events Assistant to help us deliver our busy programme of training and events for healthcare professionals. Deadline Monday 23 July
Apply now at https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/healthcare-t raining-and-events-a…

We are reviewing our ethical policy about how we work with our parents, health professionals and the people and organisations that we partner with. Bliss prides itself on being reputable and honest, with our mission at the heart of what we do. We want to get your opinion on the types of people and organisation we should partner with. Please help us by taking our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RJD3YBQ< br>

“As a family we are now stronger than ever, the life lessons we were taught through our NICU journey and from my mental health issues have only made us more open and stronger. If any mums or dads feel like they are worried about their mental health please seek help. Something small can turn into a lifelong diagnosis. Help is there, whether it’s friends, family or health care specialists, please ask.”
Read Laura’s story and find out how her experience on the neonatal unit led to a diagnosis of OCD. https://www.bliss.org.uk/story/lauras-sto ry-07-18

Huge thank you to Kings Secure Technologies who are running a family fun day for us on 2 September at the Field Sports and Social Club in Bradford. The day will include live music, BBQ, a kid’s fancy dress competition and more! Click the link below for more information and to reserve your place https://www.kingsltd.co.uk/bliss-family-d ay/

We are working with researchers at the University of Cambridge to understand ways to support developmental monitoring of babies born premature after they leave hospital. If you are a parent of a baby born before 32 weeks we'd love to hear from you.
Please help us by taking our short survey and you'll have a chance to win a £10 shopping voucher - https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/…/fo rm/SV_5dr7xcX2BSldInb

Have you taken part in FINE 1? Looking to increase your understanding of family centred developmental care? Sign up to Practical Skills in London

New research by Bliss has revealed that 80% of parents’ mental health suffered after their neonatal experience.
The survey of parents also found that almost a quarter of respondents had been diagnosed with anxiety after leaving the neonatal unit and 39% of parents believe they suffered from an undiagnosed mental health condition because of their experience.
Caroline Lee-Davey, Chief Executive of Bliss said: “The shocking findings of our latest research demonstrate the vital ...need for better mental health support for parents whilst their baby is on the neonatal unit and beyond.
“At present, none of the UK nations is reaching the national standard for providing psychological support to parents on units and our research demonstrates how detrimental this can be to parents’ health and well-being. Bliss calls for every UK Government to ensure that mental health support is available to each parent who has a baby in neonatal care.”
Read more about the findings of our survey here: https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/bliss-releas es-new-research-on-m…
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Read our new information for parents when they first arrive on the neonatal unit online at https://www.bliss.org.uk/pa…/in-hospita l/about-neonatal-care
This is part of a project to update and replace our old booklets ‘Bliss Family Handbook’ and ‘You Special Care Baby’. As we are now releasing new information, these two booklets are no longer available. Keep an eye out for more new information releases later in the year!

Last week Bliss and our friends at Mothercare UK visited the neonatal unit at Ashford & St. Peter's Hospitals. We got to hear about their amazing work and find out how the Bliss Baby Charter is helping hospital staff put families at the centre of their baby’s care. Bliss and Mothercare have a long standing history of working together. We are thankful for their incredible fundraising efforts and are proud to be their charity of the year.

Come and work for us! We're looking for a Healthcare Training and Events Assistant to help us deliver our busy programme of training and events for healthcare professionals. More details and to apply at https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/healthcare-t raining-and-events-a…

France may have won the World Cup but you could still get your hands on a trophy. If you are taking part in one or more of our special Bliss fundraising events and raise over £1,000 you could join our super fundraiser club. Find out more at https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/bl…/bliss- events-super-fundraiser

Are you a creative and ambitious communications specialist looking to work for an award winning digital first organisation? We are recruiting a Senior Communications Officer. The role will involve delivering the Communications Team’s central plan of work. More details at

"Little Elijah is growing by the day and has now mastered sitting on his own at almost 12 moths old." Way to go Elijah #MilestoneMondays

Come and work for us! We're looking for a Healthcare Training and Events Assistant to help us deliver our busy programme of training and events for healthcare professionals. More details and to apply at https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/healthcare-t raining-and-events-a…

We’ve just released new information for parents during their first few days on the neonatal unit. The new resource covers topics like how neonatal care works, what staff you might see, equipment that might be used and care your baby might have. Read ‘About neonatal care’ online or order it from our shop now. https://www.bliss.org.uk/pa…/in-hospita l/about-neonatal-care

Bonjour! it’s time to reveal our new challenge for June 2019. Join Team Bliss as we cycle from London to Paris. Experience the beauty of two of the world’s most picturesque cities in this once in a lifetime cycling challenge. Pedal to Paris for premature and sick babies. Register now at www.bliss.org.uk/events/london-to-paris-c ycle

“Anya is now three and a half. She attends nursery in the mornings where she has specialist support. She is still fed via tube and has no interest in drinking but will eat small amounts of food. Anya is the happiest, brightest little girl who loves swimming, animals and books. We had a tough journey but have maintained a level of “can do” attitude which we hope remains with Anya for the rest of her life. We treat her just like any other child and adapt to her needs. We are so lucky to have her and are forever grateful to our son and daughter angels who must be keeping their sister safe.”
In this week’s blog Sherril speaks about her experience of IVF, prematurity and the loss of two of her children. Read her story at https://www.bliss.org.uk/…/our-journey- through-ivf-and-prem…

When our little girl was in SCBU the bliss pack that was given to us really helped with understanding and gave so much info it was so handy to have x

Our beautiful baby girl Olivia Evelyn was born 13 days late with a life threatening infection, we did not see her when she was born & it was uncertain that she would survive the first 24 hours. The staff at North Tees NNU Intensive Care Unit were brilliant & we received great support from Bliss. Our baby girl is now home after 3 long weeks on the unit & doing great. Life is so precious & we will never take things for granted ♥ thank you ♥

My twins were born 9 weeks early @ 2lb 10 and 3lb, nothing can prepare you for what you'll witness and all the ups and downs, but thanks to all the literature provided by bliss I learnt how to help my babies whilst in there and also about complications in the long run and I'm really glad I had that information as it's proved vital, you guys are an amazing resource 👍

My son George was born at 31 week after I was in car accident. I had no knowledge of premature birth and the effects as I presumed I was going to have perfectly normal pregnancy and labour. The nurses and consultants at BRI were absolutely fantastic, but the bliss support workers would come each week and knew from their own experiences what the difficult journey was going to entail.They gave me vital information and support in what was the hardest 6 weeks of my life. George is now nearly 6 month old,he is a perfectly healthy beautiful boy. He is reaching all his milestones way before expected and proving that preemies are the strongest of all!.

My daughter was born in Liverpool women's hospital at just 25 weeks and 2 days she was rushed into neonatal ward weighing just 1lb 1 1/2 oz (490 grams). That was nearly 6 years ago. Jenny is now a happy very loving, a little small but every bit as cheeky and wonderful as we would expect any nearly 6 year old to be. Thanks to wonderful nurses n doctors at both Liverpool and Ormskirk neonatal units as we spent time in each over the 4 months before Jenny came home. They both suggested bliss to give support and provide lots of information to help with bringing up a prem baby. Well done everyone xxx

My daughter was born 15 weeks early almost 20 yrs ago. A very turbulent time in our lives but thankfully she is now a healthy young adult studying Psychology at university. No idea how we would of got through some days without the support and guidance of the neonatal team.

She is a participant of the Epicure 1995 study group- a longitudinal study looking at the effects of prematurity at different stages of life. Recently completed the epicure@19 and an important study sponsored by Bliss.

My baby girl was born 9 weeks early. The information we received from Bliss really helped us make informed decisions in the early days as well as providing stories of other mums & dads who had the same experiences. It really helped to know we weren't alone. I really felt I had let our baby down by not being able to keep her safe where she belonged that final 9 weeks, and it helped to know others felt that way too. Thanks for all you do. Xxx

My baby boy was born 8 weeks early, My waters went 6 weeks prior to having him, I was in & out hospital for this period of time, monitored twice weekly, I had been given the all clear & had a section planned at 34 weeks, but no my little monkey decided to start labour at 32 weeks, I ended up having an emergency section & what happened next was a shock with drs running in & out of the room, he had the cord wrapped round his neck twice, the adrenaline kicked in & this part was scary & worrying, but after 10 mins of being prepped for theatre, he came out crying by himself & needed no assistance, but weighed 2lb, he was in neonatal for 4 weeks being looked after by the amazing drs & nurses & 4 weeks ago, he came home & he's doing fab & thriving well!



I honestly cant thank the staff enough on the unit for making my baby strong & healthy, he is now 8 weeks old x



So thank you to the unit & all the staff in all units, keep doing what your doing xxxx

In 1993 my daughter Victoria was born 13 weeks early in the front passenger seat of our car. At the time her story featured in the Bliss magazine. In a couple of weeks she will be 23 and she has just graduated from University.

Bliss was a lot of support to us all those years ago. Thank you x

If it wasn't for this amazing charity and amazing doctors I wouldn't be here today I was 10 weeks early 26 years ago bliss provided a monitor for me to wear when I went home this told my parents whenever my heart stopped keep doing what you do and thank you

I have been looking through ur page and you have done some amazing thing 's I have a baby in special care and I have never experience anything like this in my life it was a rocky journey from the start and hard I was all over the place but there was a light end of the tunnel and I have gone through it with all the support from the unit throughout my 2 week I was there and now my little man is doing so well he is allowed to come home tomorrow I'm so excited!!

I have a baby at 26 weeks she was 1lb 4Oz.she is now 8 weeks old but still in hospital. Thank you so much for your stays and seeing you pics they have helped me through the bad day we have had. She has had 2 operations and 2 big infections she has had she is just getting over one of the infections now bless her

I had to have an emergency cesarean after my waters broke at 32 weeks. My little boy spent 6 weeks in special care and I couldn't fault any of the staff. When I went home every evening I didn't have to worry as I knew the nurses were doing an excellent job. The only thing that was hard was seeing him with all the tubes when he was born. The nurses talked me through everything and made it easier to cope with.

I had rusty at 33 plus 3, he was in scbu for 20 days, lucky for us he weighed in at 6 pounds 3 ounces, he did drop 10 ounces, rusty was early due to placenta detaching, I ended up having 2 blood transfusions, he was on air for a day and then it was just controlling his apneas with caffeine. The constant noises from his machines will stay with me forever. Rusty is now 6 weeks old and weighing in at 9 pound 1 ounce. Couldn't thank the staff of scbu enough.

I had my twins boys at 29+6 weighing 2,1 & 2,4 currently 7 weeks old and we looking at taking twin 1 home next week, twin 2 is still needing some help with his breathing & lungs so will be in for another 3 weeks or so. Staff and support from the hospital have been incredible, helped us to stay positive.

I called the Bliss helpline when I was struggling with some issues towards my daughter's upcoming birthday. She was 9 weeks early and I had an emergency c section. It took a long time to come to terms with the trauma. The woman I spoke with was so supportive, listened and just let me explain how I felt. I really turned a corner after that call. Thank you for the amazing service you provide, you've helped me relate better to myself and my family. Much love to you all xx

Hi guys I was born at 997 grams and was 26 weeks earlier born 15th April 1985 and I am now 32 years old extremely grateful to all the medical staff who cared for me and charity’s like yours that highlight the difficulties families face. To be honest I have never looked back and I keep positive everyday.

Bliss helped me save my son's life after he was born 8 weeks early by emergency c section dye to major placenta previa accreta he was in scbu for the whole 8 weeks he would stop breathing and no one new why he came home then 2 weeks at home he went into cardiac arrest if I hadn't had a professional show me how to do cpr on him before we took him home or the dvd made by bliss which I got to keep I don't know what I would have done amazing charity and I'm so grateful for there help he's now 8 months old and he's amazing

Bliss has been a great resource for our staff on the Neonatal Unit.