Your baby’s stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CHOC at Mission Hospital

This short video will describe what you can expect during your baby’s stay in in the neonatal intensive care unit or NICU (nick-you) at CHOC at Mission Hospital.

Most babies are admitted to the NICU (nick-you) from Mission

Hospital’s labor and delivery or post-partum area.

Your baby will be placed in a specially designed transporter and brought to the fifth floor.

While mom recovers, the other parent can accompany your baby.

You will be shown where to wash your hands, the lockers where you can keep your personal items and how to get to your baby’s bed space.

Once your baby has been stabilized, you will receive a wrist band.

The number on this band links you to your baby and you will need to keep this armband on for the duration of your stay.

A member of the admitting staff will meet with you to fill out paperwork for your baby’s admission to the NICU.

At your baby’s bedside, you may see many different machines and equipment that beep and sound alarms. The beeps and alarms don’t necessarily mean there’s an emergency.

Your medical team will explain what each machine does.

During your baby’s stay, you can come to the NICU at any time and stay for as long as you like.

When you can’t be at the hospital with your baby, you can log onto the internet and see your baby on a web camera.

Nurses will care for your baby regularly to check vital signs, change diapers, provide other care and start feedings. You are welcome to partner in your baby’s care.

The neonatologist will visit your baby in the morning, and more frequently, if needed.

A neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in the care of newborn infants with fragile medical needs. They will update you on your baby’s health so you can collaborate on the best medical plan for your baby.

You are encouraged to contribute and ask questions at any time.

While your baby is connected to monitors, you may feel like it’s hard to bond with your baby. Your healthcare team will do their best to help you with your bonding experience.

During your baby’s stay, your nurse will begin education that will prepare you to care for your baby at home. When your baby’s doctor decides your baby is ready to go home, the nurse will review information about caring for your baby at home.

The nurse will also review your baby’s discharge paperwork and make sure your questions have been answered. This might take several hours.