Close to people | Stories from Bethel
Warmth and love complement the therapy
"Shh! We have to grow," is written on the door of the premature baby intensive care unit in Bethel. All you can hear in the hospital corridor is the hissing of the air conditioning, muffled voices and the occasional soft "bing" from the medical equipment. Anton also has to grow. He lies in his cosy warm bed at a cosy 34 degrees, wrapped in a blue blanket that his grandma has knitted for him. Anton stretches out and yawns. He stretches his thin arms upwards and clenches his tiny fingers. He looks so small and fragile, even though he has more than doubled his weight in the past few months. At just 650 grams, Anton was born far too early in the 24th week of his pregnancy.
Anton is on the right track
Since then, his parents have been with their child in hospital every day. They take turns, as Anton still has a little sister who is only two years old. As often as possible, Anton is gently taken out of the incubator and placed on his mother's or father's chest. Feeling the warmth and heartbeat of the parents and hearing their voice is very important for the development of premature babies. "Ten days after birth, I did this for the first time. I was scared because he was so tiny and everything was full of wires. But when I felt him, I was so happy," says Theresa Kuhlen. Her voice is soft and full of love for her baby. The time behind her and her husband was gruelling. They had to worry about Anton so often. "Children this premature are really at the limits of viability," says Dr Stefan Heinzel, Head of Neonatology at the Bethel Children's Centre. "Anton had several very difficult phases. But even in critical situations, it helps to think positively. And now he is on a very good path," says the experienced paediatrician.
"My husband and I have always believed in him"
80 to 90 small patients weighing less than 1500 grams are treated on ward K2 every year. And the more critical the situation, the more important it is to find a way forward together with the parents. Anton's parents never gave up hope. "My husband and I always believed in him," says Theresa Kuhlen. "And Dr Heinzel gave us courage." Anton is a little fighter. "His tube feeding started at one millilitre every two hours, now he's at 40 millilitres and he already has a strong little voice," says Theresa Kuhlen proudly. Everyone in the family can hardly wait for Anton to go home. But "Psst!" - First he has to sleep and grow. He wouldn't actually be born yet.
Text: Heike Lepkojis | Photos: Christian Weische
This story simply told
Anton was born far too early. Most babies weigh around 3500 grams at birth. Anton weighed only 650 grams. He had to be treated at the Bethel Children's Centre for a long time. His parents were with him very often. They are very happy and relieved. Because Anton is now doing well. And he has put on a lot of weight.
Would you like to find out more?
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.
