The first breath of a newborn infant is music to the ears of every new parent. In the best case scenario, breaths come quickly after birth; they’re hearty and end in a telltale cry that signals the beginning of a robust new life.
But when a newborn doesn’t have the capacity to breathe, the maternity and respiratory specialists at Langley Memorial Hospital are called to action.
Within seconds, they must rely on the technological power of a neonatal ventilator to provide life-giving oxygen. But with just a single ventilator stationed permanently in the maternity unit, a secondary ventilator is needed to assist newborns in respiratory failure.
This need inspired the hospital to raise funds for a second ventilator and other equipment for the maternity unit, in partnership with TB Vets, an organization dedicated to fundraising to support the health and wellness of respiratory patients.
“We were so grateful when we got our first ventilator, and it made such a huge impact and difference (in the maternity unit),” says Donna Adhemar, Interim Manager of LMH’s clinical Maternal, Infant, Child and Youth Program.
“We encountered a situation where we had two babies who needed it at the same time. And we’ve got to choose which one is going to use it and which one’s going to use the old one (designed for older children). It was natural for us to wonder, ‘wouldn’t it be amazing if we could offer the best care to both these children?’”
Newborns might need ventilation when they’re premature and their lungs aren’t fully formed, or they may have ingested some amniotic fluid during the time of delivery.
“It’s almost immediate when you see that the newborn needs some support,” says Aman Badesha, the clinical practice leader for Respiratory Therapy at Langley Memorial Hospital.
Gifts to this urgent need will be matched dollar for dollar by TB Vets.
TB Vets President and CEO Kandys Merola says she’s confident the public will respond to the urgent need for a second ventilator with more awareness that every gift will be matched.
“I firmly believe that when faced with the urgent need for a second ventilator, our community will step up, knowing that each contribution they make will be met with a matching gift,” she says.
To help keep newborn babies safe and healthy, make a gift today at LCHHFoundation.com/twin-your-gift