These are normal reactions to the surprise and pain of your premature baby's birth. You may find it hard to eat or sleep. Being patient with loved ones around you may be a struggle. This emotional shock also makes it difficult for you to understand what the doctors and nurses in the NICU are telling you about your baby's condition. Fortunately, these feelings of shock usually only last for a few days.
Shock is a normal phase of adjustment for most families.
Denial Avoiding the painful situation of having a baby in the NICU is a common reaction. You may have trouble believing your baby is really as sick as the doctors and nurses say. You may think the doctors are wrong about your baby's chances for survival, and that your child will beat all the odds. You may find yourself clinging to hopeful or reassuring statements and tuning out statements that make you feel bad. Fathers experiencing denial may immerse themselves in a busy work schedule to take their minds off the situation.