In 2001, Sofia Thompson faced a challenging situation when she went into premature labor due to severe preeclampsia. She welcomed her son, Oliver, twelve weeks ahead of schedule. Weighing under two pounds, Oliver spent 155 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Although Sofia devoted countless hours each day to be with her son, the thought of leaving him alone at night distressed her.
With her impressive background in ergonomics and human factors engineering, Sofia contemplated how to provide comfort to Oliver even when she wasn’t by his side. This led her to create a unique invention: a bean-filled gardening glove that she would place next to Oliver every night. To ensure the glove carried her essence, she would cuddle with it during the day, allowing it to absorb her scent. She believed that this glove could replicate the warmth, smell, and feel of her presence.
As Oliver’s NICU journey progressed, Sofia desired to extend her support to other preemie infants. After Oliver was discharged, she received a call from one of the NICU nurses. “Those gloves you made for Oliver? Could you make some for the rest of the babies?” the nurse inquired. The staff noticed how much comfort Oliver derived from the gloves, prompting them to test the invention with other NICU infants. Consequently, Sofia created 100 gloves for the hospital and began researching how these gloves could benefit preemie babies, ultimately establishing her company, Nurtured by Design. Her endeavor even earned her a grant from a prominent media figure, which helped her initiative flourish.
Parents of preemies often become familiar with the terms apnea and bradycardia, both of which can occur simultaneously, accompanied by decreased blood oxygen levels. The experience of witnessing these alarming spells in the NICU can be traumatic for parents. Fortunately, the Zaky glove serves as more than just a source of comfort; it aids preemies in self-regulation of their breathing, potentially reducing the frequency of these episodes.
A 2011 independent clinical study conducted by a university examined preemies born between 28-34 weeks. Some infants had no items with them in their isolettes, while others had either unscented or mother-scented Zakys. Results indicated that infants with an unscented Zaky experienced about a one-third reduction in apnea and bradycardia episodes compared to those without any comfort items. Remarkably, the babies with a mother-scented Zaky exhibited no breathing episodes at all. If only we had known about the Zaky during our time in the NICU, it might have alleviated some of the distress we faced.
Moreover, if your hospital doesn’t currently utilize the Zaky, you can purchase one for your baby and request a hospital code; Nurtured by Design will then donate a free Zaky to your hospital in honor of the original Oliver, who is now 15 years old and serves as the company’s Chief Inspiration Officer.
In conclusion, Sofia Thompson’s innovative approach through the Zaky glove has shown remarkable potential in aiding preemies in the NICU. For more information on enhancing your family journey, check out our article on couples’ fertility journey or explore the authority on the subject at At-Home Insemination Kit. Additionally, for an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Healthline.
Keyphrase: NICU comfort glove
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