Sent Before My Time

Margaret Cohen a child and adult psychotherapist in private practice in London. She worked in the Department of Psychological Medicine at Great Ormond Street and then in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatric Oncology at The Whittington Hospital, London. She has written about prematurity among other subjects and has taught at The Tavistock Clinic, The Anna Freud Clinic and in Italy.

'This book reveals in full detail the social, psychic and medical reality of working in a premature baby intensive care unit. As such, it is almost unbearably painful at times, but it is only through acute and detailed observation of the facts that progress can be made and the situation improved.' - Anton Obholzer, Consultant psychiatrist and formerly Chief Executive, Tavistock Clinic, London'Margaret Cohen has written an original, fascinating and moving book exploring the trauma experienced by the staff, the parents and the baby in a neonatal intensive care unit. Uniquely, she describes her long observations of preterm babies, and makes one feel with them both in their stress and pain, but also in their growing awareness of themselves.' - Vivette Glover, Professor of Perinatal Psychobiology, Imperial College, London'This book contains real gems of observation, and imaginative links with art and literature. It offers sensitive and intelligent insights into the emotional life of premature babies, their families and those who work with them. This is a compelling and informative piece of reading for a wide audience.' - Gianna Williams, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Tavistock Clinic, London'This is not just a book for those who work with new-born babies, but a book for everyone interested and brave enough to face the real challenges of thinking about the philosophical issues surrounding decisions on what life is about, and how far we should struggle to always prolong it. Such knowledge, understanding and compassion about life and death very rarely comes along in one book - but it certainly does here.' - Aidan Macfarlane, International Consultant in Strategic Planning of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Service

• Series Editors’ Preface , , The setting , Two ways of seeing , Twins , The issue of respect in a medical context , Integrity , The struggle of life and death wishes , Mourning for a baby , The web , Doctors, Midwives, and Prison Officers , Addiction , Vicissitudes of life on a neonatal unit , Glossary