NICU FAQ
While every experience is unique, our team wants every family to feel as comforable and prepared as possible should their baby need to be treated by our physicians in the NICU. By clicking on the link below you will find some general tips that can help ease anxiety.
Q.
What types of conditions make a baby need NICU care?
A.
A baby that is having difficulty making the transition from being inside its mother to the outside world often ends up in the NICU for a period of time. Many of these babies are premature (less than 37 weeks gestation). Some have breathing problems, such as immature lungs, for example. Others might have a possible infection, heart issues, or problems with their blood sugar. Whatever the reason your baby is admitted to the NICU, your doctor and nurse will keep you informed as we find out the answers to your baby’s problem.
Q.
Who will be taking care of my baby when being treated in the NICU?
A.
There will be a registered nurse (RN) assigned to your baby for minute-by-minute care. There will also be a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) caring for your baby in the NICU. Additionally, a neonatologist will see your infant daily. These three work as a team and keep in constant contact on issues your baby may face.
Q.
Is there a certain Apgar score that automatically puts my baby in the NICU?
A.
The Apgar score reflects how your baby is transitioning in the first five minutes after being born. It is a scoring system that looks at the baby’s heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, responsiveness, and color. A total score of seven-to-ten is normal at one-to-five minutes. If the Apgar score stays less than four at five minutes of age, then a NICU admission is likely. However, many conditions that require NICU care develop long after the Apgar score is assigned. A baby with very good Apgar scores can still require NICU care.
Q.
How long will it be until I can see my baby in the NICU?
A.
The NICU is open to parents 24 hours, 7 days a week. After admission to the NICU, we usually need 30-to-60 minutes for admission and stabilization before visitors other than mom and dad can stop in. Even before admitting to the NICU, we try to let the baby be seen, touched and held by mom and dad in the delivery room if the infant is stable enough to do so.
Q.
What is the average stay of babies in the NICU?
A.
Length of stay in the NICU will be determined by the condition leading to admission. If your baby was admitted for prematurity we traditionally say that they will be discharged somewhere around the mother’s due date. However, many infants that fall in the 34-to-37 week gestation age only need seven-to-ten days. The NICU staff will keep the family informed on potential discharge dates.
Q.
Will I be able to hold or touch my baby when they are in the NICU?
A.
Absolutely. Touching your baby is very important for you and your new baby. The Central Ohio Newborn Medicine and NICU staff will look for cues on how the baby is responding to touch and will assist you at the bedside and explain what we observe. We support and encourage “kangaroo care” where mom or dad can hold the baby on their chests so a skin-to-skin touching occurs. Staff members will help in explaining how to do this, why to do this, and what parameters we follow.
Q.
Will I be able to nurse my baby when they are in the NICU?
A.
We highly encourage breast-feeding not only in term healthy deliveries, but also in NICU admissions. We know that sick babies will tolerate mother’s milk better than formula. Whether mom can directly breast feed or begin pumping in order to produce milk is dependent on both the baby’s and mom’s conditions. Most babies under 34 weeks do not have enough neurologic maturity to coordinate their suck and swallow mechanism so these babies get mother’s pumped breast milk. If mom decides not to nurse, we may recommend that we use donated human breast milk we obtain from the Mother’s Milk Bank in Columbus, Ohio.
+ For additional information on how we work with the Mother’s Milk Bank, click here.
Q.
Am I able to stay with my baby overnight while they are in the NICU?
A.
After delivery we encourage mothers to rest, recover, and eat nutritious meals. Visiting and staying with your baby is all part of the recovery. Most of the time parents can stay by the bedside in comfortable chairs. Of course, the nurse and doctors will need to check in on your baby from time-to-time, but you are able to stay with your baby as much as you want.
Q.
How many visitors are allowed to visit my baby?
A.
Mom and dad are allowed in the NICU at all times. There are no restrictions on the number of visitors allowed in at one time, except during Flu and RSV seasons. However, the staff of the NICU reserves the right to limit visitations, if necessary.
Q.
Are the baby’s siblings allowed to visit?
A.
Siblings are allowed to visit until 9 pm. There are no specific age requirements.
Q.
What type of care will my baby need when they leave the NICU and come home?
A.
The doctors and nurses will help prepare you for discharge before releasing your baby to go home. We will identify your needs and contact referring physicians so that they know you and your baby’s condition and next steps. We will help set up the necessary follow-up appointments in many cases directly with the referring physician. We will review your baby’s formula along with feeding and sleep patterns. Please feel free to ask any questions you have in order to make your transition home a seamless one.
Q.
Is there computer or internet access available in the NICU?
A.
Unfortunately there is no computer or internet access in the NICU.
Q.
Can cell phones be used in the NICU?
A.
Cell phones are allowed in the NICU, but we ask that parents do not use them while they are holding or feeding the baby, or during attending rounds.
