NICU
What is the NICU?
NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a unit for critically ill and premature newborn infants. Babies in the NICU can range from 23 to 35 weeks gestational age (preterm or premature) and 36+ weeks gestational age (full-term).
There are 4 different levels of neonatal intensive care units. They are:

• Level 1 NICU
• Level 2 NICU
• Level 3 NICU
• Level 4 NICU
Each level can accommodate a specific degree of complications and illnesses.
For what reasons is a baby admitted to the NICU?
An infant can be admitted to …

NICU
Kangaroo Care
Kangaroo Care is one of the most intimate ways a mother can bond with her infant. Often, when mom’s deliver a preterm baby, the ability to bond between the two can be suddenly be taken away. Kangaroo Care allows for that physical and emotional connection to be reestablished.
So what exactly is kangaroo care? It is when the baby is places against the mother or father’s bare skin )chest area) in only it’s diaper. Even premature babies on oxygen and IVs can be placed in kangaroo care when they are …

NICU
Preterm Infants Under 23 Weeks
Premature infants born at less than 23 weeks gestational age are generally too young and too immature in terms of development to survive. Most doctors do not consider this age compatible with life, and will opt not to resuscitate the baby at birth.
If there is a chance a baby will be born before 23 weeks, it is important the parents talk to their obstetrician about the options they may have.

NICU
Length of Stay
How long will my baby be in the NICU? That is a question many, many parents ask time and time again. The honest answer is that it completely depends on the specific condition of the infant and how they respond to medicine and treatment. Every baby is unique, so each will react in their own way while in the neonatal intensive care unit.
A neonatalogist can offer his or her best guess, usually a time frame ranging from days to weeks to months. Obviously, in extremely premature babies, parents …

NICU
Religion and Beliefs
Hospitals across the United States have very understanding policies regarding the religion and beliefs of parents and families that have and infant in the neonatal ICU. It is imoprtant to talk to the nurse, doctor, or practitioner caring for the infant, and address any customs or care that are important to your baby. Also, informing the charge nurse and nurse manager help ensure that your desires are met to the fullest extent.
For example, with an infant about to pass away, many cultures and religions have different ways to …

NICU
Infant Death / Infant Bereavement
Losing your baby will probably be the hardest thing you will ever go through. The grief a parent goes through after the death of their infant is called bereavement. It is a normal process that everyone goes through when they lose someone they love.
What is Grief?
Courtesy of the National Mental Health Information Center [Source]
Grief is the normal response of sorrow, emotion, and confusion that comes from losing someone or something important to you. It is a natural part of life. Grief is a typical reaction to …

Asking questions in regards to your baby’s condition and care is absolutely recommended and encouraged. NICU staff want parents to be as informed as possible. If something is explained, and a parent does not quite understand, ask for an explanation again, and the doctor, practitioner, or nurse will often try to find a different way to explain it.
Keep in mind that medical staff are surrounded by medical terminology 24/7 when they are at their job, so when they explain a baby’s condition and care, they may say things a parent doesn’t …

Medical Records refers to the Health Information Department in a hospital. This is where all patient info is stored after a patient has been discharged. It also may be where medical transcriptionists work and file medical reports and dictations.
An NICU parent may need to go to Medical Records for the following reasons:

Obtain their infant’s chart – If a parent wishes to obtain their copy baby’s chart, they must come to the Medical Records department to do so. Often, it will require a one-time fee as well. A consent must also …

NICU
Medical / Patient Chart
Every infant in the NICU has their own medical chart. This includes:

Graphical information (Address, parents, insurance, etc.)
Consents
Doctor’s Orders
Progress Notes
Radiology Reports
Cardiology Reports
Social Work Consultations
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Reports
Nutritional Information
Nurse’s Notes
Discharge Paperwork
Medication Records
Family Paperwork
Lab Results

All of these are stored in a computer under a computerized medical chart, or at a bedside hospital chart. Many hospitals now use both.
If a parent wishes to view their baby’s chart, a doctor or practitioner is usually required to be present. Medical charts are very intricate and complex, and even the smartest parent …

NICU Precautions
Hand Washing
In the NICU, be prepared to wash your hands…a lot. Germs pose a great threat to infants in the NICU, since their immune systems are very weak. Handwashing is the number one way of preventing the spread of germs that can cause illness.
There are two methods of hand washing you can expect to perform in the neonatal unit.

Hand Washing / Scrubbing – Use of a very special antiseptic soap applied with a scrub brush or out of a dispenser. A good thorough hand washing in the NICU will …