Mission Statement

Having a premature baby can be a lonely and miserable experience. In our communities there may be very few people who understand the specific problems that face parents of very early babies. Often our babies are transferred to hospitals far from home and this can make us feel even more alienated and lost. However there is a resource for families in this situation. The world wide nature of the internet makes it possible to reach out and contact other families who can give support and answer the questions that only other parents could ever answer.

Preemie-l is a mailing list and web site that exists only on the internet. It is that support group that every parent needs during the critical NICU period, and then at home raising a premature child. Preemie-l is mainly a forum for parents of premature children of all ages and gestations but other members include authors, medical personnel, and adult ex-premmies.

The purpose of Preemie-l is:

• to support families of premature babies while their babies are in
  hospital and as they grow up

• to provide a print on demand newsletter with highlights of
  discussions from the group, so that those without internet access can see
  that there are others with similar concerns.

• to support the provision of access to Preemie-l in hospitals with NICUs.

• to encourage developmentally supportive family-centered care in
  newborn intensive and special care nurseries.

• to provide a window into the workings of NICUs through the
  contribution of medical personnel.

• to encourage research into the causes and consequences of
  prematurity and to provide links to current research.

• to provide a forum for the discussion of medical and ethical issues
  relating to the comfort and compassionate care of preterm infants.
  

It doesn't take much technology to "plug in" to Preemie-l. The isolation of parents of premature babies makes the internet an invaluable medium for finding support and advice, and for sharing experience. This is why Preemie-l exists and flourishes.

To subscribe to the mail list:
send a message to: majordomo@vicnet.net.au
leave the subject line blank, and in the body of the message write:
subscribe preemie-l <yourmailaddress>
**note that is l as in the letter L not the numeral one**
Listowners: Gary Hardy and Anne Casey annec@vicnet.net.au