The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): What To Expect

The big day has finally arrived, but not like what you expected. We can try very hard to plan a delivery a certain way, but sometimes, we have no control over the way things turn out. The chances are that your baby had a premature birth or needs immediate medical intervention. If this is the case, your baby will be sent into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This sounds overwhelming and looks even scarier, but you need to understand that right now, this is the safest place for your child. Read on to know more about what to expect in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit:

What Is The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU in short, is pretty much similar to intensive care units in hospitals, except this one is for providing special care to babies. The NICU is specifically for newborn babies who are sick or prematurely born. The NICU has special equipment to address the needs of the little ones in it. These highly specialized staff take care of your baby until health is improved and it is time to go home. Newborns who need constant care are sent to the NICU to avail round-the-clock treatment and care.

Who Can You Find In The NICU?

Apart from your little munchkin and a few other newborns, you will find an entire team of medical professionals in the NICU. As we mentioned above, only babies who require constant medical intervention are sent here, so once you enter the NICU, you will see that it is a busy unit. Every NICU will have a neonatologist. Neonatologists are pediatricians who are specially trained to treat premature babies. To assist them, you will find a team of neonatal nurse practitioners. In addition to these nurses, the NICU also has a few registered nurses or RNs.

Many parents get overwhelmed when their newborn is sent to the NICU, and for this reason, you will also find psychologists or social workers present. They help you deal with emotional stress, postpartum anxiety, and depression if you suffer from it. A premature or sick baby’s feeding habits need a little extra care initially, so you will also find lactation consultants. The baby is probably being fed from a feeding tube — lactation consultants will help your baby transition to breastfeeding. As it’s time for your baby to head home, the physical therapist will come into the picture to aid your baby and show you a few measures that need to be taken.

What Else Can You See?

In addition to doctors and nurses constantly on their feet, you will see that the NICU has equipment everywhere. One of the most essential equipments you’ll see will be the tiny incubators. This might look scary, but it serves the purpose of keeping your baby’s body at a consistent temperature. If your baby requires oxygen, you will see equipment that provides this as well.

To constantly monitor your baby’s vital signs, the NICU will have oxygen monitors and heart-rate monitors. Do not get worried if you see that a tiny IV is attached to your child’s foot, hand, or even scalp. This is to monitor your little one’s vital signs safely. Sometimes, a premature baby will require a nasogastric tube. This tube is used to safely transfer baby formula or breastmilk to your child’s stomach.

Hygiene Is A Priority

The medical professionals working in the NICU take washing hands very seriously, way before the pandemic even started. Babies are susceptible, and their immune system is not strong enough to fight diseases yet. And in the case of premature babies, one has to take extreme care. You will find a sink at the entrance of the NICU to ensure that whoever enters the room washes their hands. Avoid going into the NICU if you are sick — even a slight cold can prove to be fatal to premature babies.

Visiting Hours Are Severely Regulated

Not being able to visit your little one can be hurtful and seem unfair. However, this is done, keeping your child’s best interest in mind. The NICU has specific visiting hours. The mother can enter to feed the baby and spend time with the child as it is crucial to the newborn’s development. Other family members will have a limited amount of visiting time and will be allowed to visit only one at a time. Family members might get angry as they are probably excited to see the latest addition to the family, but remember this — your child’s health and life is a priority; the celebrations can wait.

Watching your baby in an incubator, plugged in with a tube, is possibly the most distressing sight you’ll ever witness, but know that they are in safe hands. Neonatologists and medical professionals take extreme care to ensure that your little one comes out of this hale and healthy. As a mother, it is also essential to take good care of yourself. Do you have a little one in a NICU right now? Please share your thoughts with us.