Comfort Focused Care
Up to and including 21+6 gestation
Extreme Premature Manikin
Snugglepod/Cuddlepockets for comfort-focused care
If the gestation is known to be less than 22 completed weeks (up to and including 21 weeks and 6 days), even if there are signs of life at birth – resuscitation should not be attempted. Focus on maternal care and comfort care for the baby.
- Support parents to provide comfort focused care
- Encourage parents to comfort their baby, if they are able to – where they are unable, then ensure a member of the clinical team provides this comforting care instead.
- Reassure the parents that the gasping or reflex movements do not indicate distress.
- Help parents to give comfort either skin-to-skin or using a Snugglepod / Cuddlepocket – do not use polythene bags in these occasions.
Extremely preterm birth will be an emotional time for both the mother and her partner as well as the attending professionals. There is a high risk that the baby will not survive, and the language used at this time will carry lasting memories for the everyone involved.
BAPM (2022)
