S2 Ep10: Premature babies and support for families in NICU

This week our host, Theo Clarke is joined by Dr Chris Dewhurst, a neonatologist, and an affected mother to discuss premature babies and support for families in NICU. Topics that we discuss on the show include: what is NICU; reasons babies are admitted to NICU; prematurity and what this means; the family's role in the care of their babies; what does the journey look like after discharge from the NICU; and coping with baby loss.

Dr Chris Dewhurst is a neonatologist and the Medical Director at Liverpool Women’s Hospital where they deliver approximately 7,500 babies per year. He has previously been the clinical Director for both neonatal and maternity services in Liverpool. Alongside his medical leadership role he continues to provide clinical care on the neonatal intensive care unit where he has a special interest in neonatal ventilation. He is driven to minimise health inequalities, particularly in relation to impact of deprivation on neonatal and maternity outcomes.

Zalena Vandrewala is mum to Sam born at 24+2 weeks gestation and Ava born at 36+5 weeks gestation and wife to Martin. Zalena actively supports and advises the neonatal unit at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital on various matters including family integrated care and parental experience as well as having supported and advised the Liverpool Neonatal partnership as they prepare to open the largest neonatal unit in Europe in 2026.

Baby Lifeline: https://www.babylifeline.org.uk/
Special care (ill or premature babies): https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/special-care-ill-or-premature-babies/

This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice please seek advice from a GP or Doctor.

Website: http://www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast

Instagram: @theoclarkemp

Breaking The Taboo production team:

Producer: Natasha Feroze

Researcher: Max Austin and Elliott Malik

Designer: Emily Ryder

Social media: Bella Carter

Studio manager: Adam Woodward

Studio: Studio 55 part of Wolfe Power Club