Close to people | Stories from Bethel
Denis feels at home in the sound cradle
Cristina Potop gently lays her son in a cradle. The tiny cot looks simple, but it is something very special. On its underside, it turns out to be a stringed instrument. Andrea Oelmann makes it sound and vibrate. The music therapist at the Bethel Children's Centre likes to use the sound cradle in her work with prematurely born children - if the health development of the little patients allows it.
Denis is now ready. He can breathe on his own. He has grown a lot and put on weight. He no longer needs a feeding tube, but can be breastfed by his mother. But there were major hurdles to overcome first. Because when Denis was born far too early, he weighed less than 500 grams. That was in the 23rd week of pregnancy. Shortly beforehand, an injection was given in the womb to help his lungs mature when it became clear that a caesarean section would be unavoidable. The mother's life was in danger. "God and the doctors in Bethel then saved my son," says Cristina Potop. She is beaming with happiness because her child has developed so well in the long months between fear and hope, through all the crises.
"God and the doctors in Bethel then saved my son."
Gentle, harmonious sounds now float through the room. The warning bells of the medical equipment, the hissing of the air conditioning, the muffled footsteps in the hospital corridor - everything fades into the background. The humming of the music therapist and the almost spherical melodies do not fail to have an effect. Little Denis opens his eyes and stretches. He lifts his arms and legs. He stretches out all his fingers. He seems completely awake and relaxed. He can not only perceive the music, but also the vibrations of the sounds that make the wood of the cradle vibrate.
"It's about giving the child support, safety and security. Small melodies that are repeated do them good," says Andrea Oelmann. This is also important for the parents of premature babies. "They can let themselves fall into the music and stop the whirlwind of thoughts for a moment. Every beautiful situation strengthens the bond between mother, father and child," says the therapist, who has been working in Bethel's gynaecology and premature baby wards for many years. Music therapy can be financed thanks to donations. It complements the highly specialised medical care and development-promoting care.
It was used early on in Bethel. What parents have felt and doctors have observed now seems to be scientifically proven. Studies indicate that children develop better with the accompanying therapy. It reduces stress. Improves respiratory rate and oxygen saturation. Children can even be discharged from hospital more quickly. "Soon my little darling will be able to go home too. Finally," says Cristina Potop happily. Not only is his dad waiting for him there, but also his two-year-old brother and lots of love.
Text: Heike Lepkojis | Photos: Christian Weische
This story simply told
Denis was born far too early and weighed less than 500 grams. He has since put on weight and grown. He can breathe on his own. In addition to medical care and nursing, there is also music therapy at the Bethel Children's Centre. The therapist likes to use the sound cradle for premature babies. Denis feels comfortable in it.
Helping sick children together
Anniversary donation project
"New Bethel Children's Centre"
Please help sick children at Bethel with your donation.
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Contact
Children's Centre at EvKB / Gilead House I
Burgsteig 13
33617 Bielefeld
To the annual donation project "New Bethel Children's Centre"
Offers & services
The Children's Centre at the Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel (EvKB) covers the entire spectrum for young patients aged 0 to 18 years. Whether illness or injury, acute or chronic, physical (somatic) or psychiatric - the EvKB offers the right individual treatment concept for all medical requirements with its outpatient, day-care and inpatient services.
