Senior Embrace researcher Dr Alix Woolard has called for more psychosocial support for parents and families admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), emphasising the need for more trauma-informed care.
Dr Woolard made the comments at the 2025 Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Symposium Nurturing minds: Innovative approaches to perinatal and infant mental health prevention and intervention, held at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research on the Friday 9 May.
Addressing health professionals, Dr Woolard outlined findings from her research on the psychosocial experiences of NICU parents, and the needs of families according to both parents and NICU professionals.
The study, which was funded by an Embrace seeding grant in 2022, recruited mothers and co-parents who had had a baby admitted to a NICU, and health professionals who had worked or currently work in NICU services.
“While we’ve seen research on NICU stress and trauma before, there’s been surprisingly little focus on what parents say they need, and even less research that includes both parents and the health professionals who support them,” Dr Woolard said.
The study found that trauma-informed care must start early and remain consistent, and parents need continuity and additional care beyond discharge.
“A NICU admission isn’t just a medical event. It’s a psychosocial, emotional, and relational issue that affects not just babies, but whole families and professionals working in the area,” Dr Woolard said.
Shantelle Weber, a parent involved in the study, presented alongside Dr Woolard at the symposium. “It was a vision seen by all participants to have the NICU as a trauma-informed experience for everyone, where parents are empowered, included, and emotionally supported,” Ms Weber said of the findings.
As part of the study, a set of educational booklets were also designed to be handed out on NICU wards, giving parents, friends and family access to practical strategies, avenues for further support, and tangible ways to provide care.
“Ultimately, we hope this work contributes to a NICU culture that is not only medically excellent, but also compassionate, inclusive, and healing,” Dr Woolard said.
Embrace is supported by principal partner Rio Tinto.
Embrace Senior Researcher Dr Alix Woolard alongside Shantelle Weber.