Every baby counts!
The following key words can also be useful to find us using internet search engines: "gns newborn", "gns neonate", "gns society", "global newborn" and "global neonatal society"
Infan – see
Poem by Sonali Korde
He opened his eyes
All shiny and new
And was bewildered but intrigued
As he saw the faces of people rushing around amany
But heard just one voice that made him feel relieved.
He was pushed out
Of his safe and comfortable cocoon
Wish…he hadn’t been
With a force that could break a thousand bones
Had never been felt, nor been seen
Through slits of his eyes, he saw he lay out
As life was quickly sucked
When his lifeline, the cord, that tied him to her
Was with a snap, being heartlessly cut
He blacked out
But he heard the sound of a smack
Whence he was turned upside down
But slowly was slipping
Into a deep black hole
Miserably…without a sound
He caught a glimpse
Of himself,
in the mirror…far away
and cringed at the bloody sight
and his vision began to sway
He heard then someone’s muffled sobs
A voice he had often heard
Crooning to him over the nine long months
He had returned with gesture…every word
And then he gasped with another wack
And saw the room come alive
His wails like noise to his little ears
But like music that made dance those eyes
Slowly, he was wiped and cleaned and clothed
And placed in such loving arms a pair
That made him want to fall asleep
After the long struggle, without a care.
I love you, crooned the voice again
And he felt the love that made him diz
When he would rest near the overflowing breast
And hear the heartbeat akin to his.
He knew that there wouldn’t be a worry now
As she would lead the way
And now he would forever see
Nights
All followed by day
The infant sees…
THE NEONATE
Painting by Ryan McAdams 2020
A premature infant with respiratory distress. Despite being unwell, the eyes still show hope, an emotion that we all would like to learn from these fresh creations of nature. The walls of the room are covered with what may be pictures, cards, or newly registered memories. The nasal cannula for breathing support, cardiac leads, and the temperature probe all indicate illness, but at the same time, reassure about the availability of intensive care. The relative abundance of scalp hair and the flexed upper extremities suggest that the gestational age could be at least 32 weeks, and this level of maturity adds hope.
DREAMZZZ
Painting by Rachana Singh 2021
No matter how sick, infants can respond to good medical care and go on to have a whole life full of possibilities. This is what makes neonatal intensive care so important and rewarding. This painting shows a sleeping infant, who may be large-for-date due to maternal diabetes. The electrocardiogram on the top right corner shows a serious heart rhythm abnormality arising in its lower chambers. However, despite all difficulties, there is hope. Unaware of the ongoing frantic treatment measures, the dreams still show a sea of tranquility with music, colorful balloons and footprints, supporting hands, many benign-looking small creatures, and a happy unicorn swimming nearby. An ocean current, the pathway to recovery, is hidden somewhere in close vicinity; we just need to recognize it. The graduation cap symbolizes the success that the future may hold.
©2024 Global Newborn Society, "Every Baby Counts"