Alex Can you stay in the hospital if your baby is in the NICU?
Parents can visit and spend time with their babies who stay in the NICU. Other family members might be able to visit, but only during set hours and only a few at a time. Children visiting the NICU must be well (not sick) and should have all their immunizations.
Can you discharge your child from NICU?
Many premature babies are discharged before their original due dates, and there are some that stay well beyond when they were due to be born. There is not a specific rule or amount of time a premature baby has to stay in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), instead a set of milestones they will need to meet.
How often do parents visit the NICU?
Mothers visited the NICU on average 6.2 days (range, 2.3-7.0 days) per week, whereas fathers visited on average 4.7 days per week (range, 1.8-6.6 days). Twenty-eight percent of the mothers visited their infants in the NICU every day. Only 2% of the fathers visited their infants 7 days per week.
How long does NICU discharge?
Ask the NICU staff when the appointment is needed — this usually is within 2-4 days of discharge from the hospital (unless the pediatrician has assumed care of the infant prior to discharge from the NICU).
Does insurance cover NICU?
Health insurance will certainly ease the financial responsibilities of having a preemie, but it won’t eliminate them. Out of pocket expenses for NICU care can get expensive, and insurance companies may not cover all aspects of your baby’s stay.
Why are they Watching you in the NICU?
The staff in the NICU are observing you to help you learn to care for your baby. They have special training with premature and ill infants and can observe the baby for signs of stress that you may not yet understand. In addition, other NICU parents may be watching you to identify you with your baby and to compare your circumstances to theirs.
What to do when your baby is in the NICU?
For most babies in the NICU, the reasons they were born sick or premature are not known. If necessary, let go of guilty feelings, which will give you more energy to care for yourself and your new baby. It is also important to try and share these feelings with the NICU team.
How are the staff at the NICU trained?
The NICU staff are specially trained to interpret and respond to any concerning alarms and explain what they mean. As you spend more time in the NICU, you too will begin to distinguish among various alarm sounds. Depending on the time of day, the unit may be a flurry of activity.
Why are some parents afraid of the NICU?
Fear is a normal reaction to the unknown. Most parents have little previous experience with sick newborns; many are uncomfortable in the NICU environment and concerned about their baby. They may also fear the possibility of serious illness, disability, or even death.
Can a family member visit a baby in the NICU?
Other family members might be able to visit, but only during set hours and only a few at a time. Children visiting the NICU must be well (not sick) and should have all their immunizations. Check with the hospital staff about which family members can see your baby. Some units require guests to wear hospital gowns.
What kind of care does a NICU provide?
As a leading Regional Perinatal Center, our NICU provides newborns with the highly specialized care that many other perinatal centers cannot. We offer:
What does NICU mean at Rocky Mountain Hospital for children?
Expectant parents can choose from Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children-affiliated NICUs, including: What do NICU levels mean? Because of our advanced newborn care and highly specialized staff, our Level IV NICU at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL receives hundreds of neonatal transports each year.
Which is the best NICU at Phoenix Children’s?
At Phoenix Children’s, our Level III freestanding NICU offers the highest level of care for newborns and infants facing complex health challenges. If you face a complicated pregnancy or premature delivery, Phoenix Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will give your baby the best-possible start at life.