Bili Bead
This bright blue bead with lines is our "Bili Bead" symbolic of the bright blue beams that are know as bili lights in the NICU. They help prevent newborns from having complications from a condition known as newborn jaundice. This bead will highlight the memory so many NICU moms will never forget...their little preemie "sunning" under the bright blue lights!
Blood Transfusion Bead
In the NICU babies can be given many blood transfusions for a number of reasons. The blood may be given in an emergency to replace blood loss from anemia, which without treatment can result in shock or even death. More often transfusions are given to treat symptoms caused by anemia, like apnea. This bright red glass bead symbolizes all of the times a transfusion had to be given to your little fighter.
IV's, Central, and Arterial Lines Bead
Almost all babies in the NICU will have IV's inserted to assist with the delivery of fluids and medications. Most of the time these IV's are inserted in the hands and arms, but sometimes the feet, legs, or even scalp. Some situations require larger IVs to deliver greater volumes of fluids and medications. These special IVs are known as central lines because they're inserted into the larger, more central veins of the chest, neck, or groin, as opposed to the hands and feet. They're inserted by a specially trained pediatric surgeon. Arterial lines are similar to IV's, but they're placed in arteries, not veins, and are used to monitor blood pressure and oxygen levels in the blood (although some babies may simply have blood pressure cuffs instead).
ECMO Treatment Bead
ECMO is a life-saving technique that mimics the natural function of the heart and lungs, allowing an infant or child to rest while natural healing of the affected organs takes place. It is used for newborns and children suffering respiratory and/or cardiac failure as a result of birth defects, trauma, or severe infection. The red and blue combination of colors symbolize the heart and oxygen.
Eye Exam
An eye exam will be scheduled for babies born more than two months early to ensure that their eyes develop normally. To continue close monitoring, follow-up eye exams are often necessary. We chose this dark aquamarine bead with circular shades of blues and greens to symbolize the eyes.
Feeding Tube Bead
Feeding tubes travel from the mouth (orogastric-called OG) or from the nose (nasogastric-called NG) to the stomach. Infants who are too sick or weak to eat from the breast or from the bottle receive food through these tubes. Inserting the tubes and giving feedings through them are common procedures among preemies. Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.
Hearing Exam Bead
Prior to discharge, your baby will have his or her hearing screened. This white bead with green means go! The design on the side of the bead is reminiscent of an earlobe, which is why we loved this story bead for passing a NICU hearing screen.
Pass Car Seat Study Bead
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a car seat test, or car seat challenge, for all babies born before 37 weeks gestation. The car seat test makes sure that premature babies are able to sit in a car safely, without any episodes of desaturation, apnea, or bradycardia. We chose this bright orange bead to symbolize energy and stimulation. NICU parents know discharge is just around the corner when their "energetic" little ones pass this test!
Pass Sleep Study Bead
Infants with continuing apnea and bradycardia episodes may have a special test to help determine the cause of these episodes. This silver bead with a purple dragonfly symbolizes the change that is taking place for the tiny baby and his/her family who has called the NICU home for many weeks. With the passing of a sleep study discharge from the NICU is not far behind and that is a change that leads to emotional and physical well being.
Spinal Tap Bead
This dark purple bead with white dots symbolizes spinal taps. The same as a lumbar puncture, this procedure extracts spinal fluid for testing. A needle is inserted in the lower back and between the vertebrae.
Surfactant Bead
This soapy-like substance keeps air sacs in the lungs from collapsing and sticking together. Very premature babies are unable to make this substance in their lungs and are given a man-made surfactant. This crystal soapy in appearance bead is symbolic of surfactant.
X-Rays, CT Scans, & Ultrasounds
This green opaque crystal glass bead almost "glows" symbolizing any x-rays, scans, or ultrasounds that your tiny baby had to undergo in the NICU.
Tracheostomy
In very early preterm infants and others with serious respiratory issues tracheostomies are most often indicated to provide a stable airway for infants with congenital or acquired airway obstructions and to provide long-term mechanical ventilation. Learning to care for an infant with a tracheostomy can be challenging for both professionals and families. This bead comes in gold. A tracheostomy is very big part of a baby's NICU journey and we believe it should stand out on your bracelet as a golden moment on your journey.
Ostomy
Sometimes treating diseases of the digestive or urinary systems involves removing all or part of your small intestine, colon, rectum or bladder. In these cases, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body. The surgery to create the new opening in the abdomen is called ostomy. The opening is called a stoma.
Respiratory Therapy NICU Bead Series
Include this series in your NICU Hope Necklace or bracelet along with other beads of your choosing. As an alternative, this crystal bead series would make for a beautiful bracelet all of it's own! Complete your bracelet by adding the silver plated "breathe" (shown above) and "elephant" (room air and strength) beads at each end. Find those beads on the Story page.
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