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CPR training equips dad to save daughter
From Spotlight on Health - Fall 2009
Healthy twins Lili and Adeline
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Brian Wohlman really didn’t feel he needed to learn CPR. At age 28, he had never needed to save anyone.
After the birth of his twin daughters, Adeline and Lilian (Lili), at St. Cloud Hospital, Brian was encouraged to take a CPR class that was offered on site.
“I thought it was a waste of time. Between spending time with my family and needing to work, it just wasn’t a priority,” Brian said. |
Born at just 33 weeks gestation, the twins spent two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before going home.
Upon the baby’s discharge, Brian and Kelly received a CPR first aid kit with an infant mannequin and video from the March of Dimes in collaboration with the NICU. Shortly afterwards, Brian sat down to watch the video and practice CPR to make his wife, Kelly Meyer, happy. Kelly, a nurse in the NICU, knew how vital it was for parents to know CPR and what to do if a child chokes.
It was a decision that would save his daughter’s life.
At 3 months old, Lili aspirated her own vomit. She stopped breathing and quickly turned a shade of blue Brian said he had never seen before and never wanted to see again. Brian, alone at the time, replayed the CPR training video in his mind. He was able to turn her over and free up the air passage. What was probably three minutes felt like three hours to him.
In the middle of this chaotic scene, Kelly arrived home and assisted Brian in further clearing Lili’s airway. Kelly and Brian are both grateful for having the opportunity to learn CPR through the March of Dimes CPR program, realizing that they could be here today with only one of their precious girls instead of two. Both sets of grandparents and Brian’s sister have been able to use the training kit to learn CPR.
“Without this program, I don’t know what would’ve happened to my daughter,” Kelly said. “It is a long wait for an ambulance when your baby isn’t breathing.”
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Support Program
St. Cloud Hospital has the only March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program site in Minnesota. The program addresses the needs of families of premature or critically ill newborns throughout their hospital stay, during the transition from NICU to home, and in the event of a child’s death. This project is funded by the March of Dimes and CentraCare Health Foundation.
NICU Infant CPR Program
The March of Dimes has selected St. Cloud Hospital as a pilot site for its new family-centered Infant CPR Program. A $2,500 grant from the March of Dimes allows nursing staff to provide families with brief CPR instruction while their babies are in the NICU. In addition, families receive a take-home tool kit, which includes an infant mannequin, instructions and DVD, so they can educate other caregivers. If you are interested in learning more about the March of Dimes and how you can make a difference, contact Rebecca Brown-Medvec, March of Dimes NICU family support specialist, at (320) 251-2700, ext. 56004. |
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