Prematurity, NICU and birth complications

Prematurity, NICU and birth complications: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.

1. 1. Not discussed

   You have not talked about it.

2. 2. Preferences talked through

   You have talked about what each of you would want.

3. 3. Written preferences and a leave contingency

   You have written down your wishes and planned how leave would work if the baby stays in hospital.

Prematurity, NICU and birth complications: what does the evidence say?

Your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

AAP treats "Preemie" as a first-class baby topic; no couple-level sources

Sources

• HealthyChildren.org

What else is worth knowing?

Some babies are born early or need intensive care, usually without warning. Talking in advance about what each of you would want makes decisions easier under stress. Leave and work plans may need to change.

Questions to ask each other

• What would we want to know if the baby were born early?
• Who would take care of work and other children?
• What are our preferences if there are hard decisions?

More in Legal, financial and "what if" planning

• Will and guardian nomination
• Life and disability insurance, beneficiaries, emergency fund
• Pregnancy loss
• Special needs, disability and neurodivergence
• If the child is not who we expected (temperament, interests, ability, gender expression)
• Major life disruptions (job loss, serious illness, death of a parent, ageing grandparents, moving)
• Travel consent, passports and relocation
• If we separate