The maternity unit at the South East Regional Hospital in Bega is investing in a Bubble CPAP to make it easier for some little newborns to take their first breaths.
CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) is used to deliver constant air pressure into a baby’s nose that helps the air sacs in the lungs stay open and helps prevent apnoea. Air or oxygen is blown in at a constant pressure. The little baby does all of their own breathing, but the machine helps keep the lungs open in between breaths.
CPAP can also be used to deliver higher concentrations of oxygen to premature babies who have trouble maintaining good oxygen levels in their blood.
The purchase will be made possible thanks to a donation from the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation.