MOSSEL BAY NEWS -  The Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital’s maternity staff recently celebrated World Prematurity Day.

The theme for this year’s event was ‘Giving preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future’. 

World Prematurity Day was observed on Monday 17 November. The maternity ward was beautifully decorated with purple and white butterflies and balloons.

The staff decided to match the decorations, wearing purple scrubs. 

“The colour purple represents sensitivity and signifies the unique journey of babies born too soon,” says Priscilla van Niekerk, operational manager of the provincial hospital’s maternity and neonatal ward. 

Dr Inga Raubenheimer gave a presentation about what Preemie Day is and why it is celebrated - to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide.

The hospital’s Butterfly Bloom Room was also launched on Friday. This private room was created for patients who have experienced a stillborn baby, miscarriage or neonatal death.

The Butterfly Bloom Room is aimed at helping patients to maintain dignity during moments of distress, discussing sensitive matters with family, healthcare providers and spiritual counsellors and to offer comfort without disturbance. 

“Being in a shared ward with mothers and newborns can be extremely painful and traumatic for someone who has experienced a loss,” says Van Niekerk.

“Hearing babies cry or seeing other mothers bond with their infants can intensify grief and feelings of isolation. Reducing stress and emotional trauma in the immediate aftermath of loss can help prevent complications like postpartum depression or anxiety.”

Mothers of babies born prematurely were also invited to share in the day’s festivities. 

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