About the NICU

When a baby is born prematurely, or begins having trouble after delivery, the NICU is called. Some babies are born in a hospital with a NICU or a special care nursery, others need to be transported to a hospital with a NICU. Babies may be transported either by ground (ambulance) or by air (helicopter or plane).

When it becomes apparent that a baby will need this extra care, a transport team is assembled. This team consists of Doctors, Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, and specially trained nurses called NNP's (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner). They bring special packs that contain equipment and medicines needed to care for babies, including a transport (incubator) for monitoring babies.

As soon as a baby arrives in the NICU, some procedures are performed to help monitor his/her condition. An umbilical catheter (a small plastic tube) may be placed through the umbilical cord. This is done to make blood drawing easier and also to monitor vital signs. Wires are also attached to the baby's chest, with sticky disks, to monitor the baby's heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure. A saturation probe is wrapped around either the baby's foot or hand to monitor how well the baby is tolerating the support we are providing. The baby may also require help with breathing either through use of a ventilator (breathing machine) or nasal cannula.

Many times a baby doesn't need to stay in intensive care but isn't quite ready to go home yet. He or she may be transferred (moved) to another location in the hospital. We sometimes move babies to Mott Hospital. A unit tour may be arranged prior to the actual transfer. In other cases, your baby may be transferred back to the hospital closer to home. The doctors and nurses in the Holden NICU will communicate with personnel there in order to assure a smooth transition. We will attempt to let you know in advance when your baby is ready to be transferred out of the Holden NICU.

We will also attempt to let you know ahead of time when your baby is ready to go home. Besides having the nursery ready, you will want to make sure you have chosen a doctor for your baby. If the doctor you have chosen is not a pediatrician, make sure he/she knows what your baby's special needs are. You will want to make an appointment for one or two weeks after discharge. A summary of the hospital stay from birth to discharge will be sent to this doctor.

Sometimes babies go home on special formula. You can check with your baby's nurse about where it can be purchased. The home care coordinator will also be available to arrange for any supplies or equipment that you may need at home.

If your baby's gestational age at birth was less than 37 weeks, car seat testing will be required prior to discharge (American Academy of Pediatrics policy on safe transportation of premature babies and low birth weight babies). When your baby is in a bassinette and getting close to discharge, you will be asked to bring in your baby's car seat in order to evaluate your baby for breathing problems while being positioned in the car seat. This test will determine whether your baby is safe to travel in a baby car seat or if a car bed or special car seat would be recommended. Further information regarding seat testing will be discussed with you during your baby's hospitalization in the Holden NICU.

Download Printable PDF of this page