That moment that changes everything
Joy and fear of the unknown come together in a baby’s birth when she is born too early. You’re just about to see your newborn, and within another few moments, medical personnel are rushing around, and your baby has been whisked to the NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, without any time to admire your precious little one.
This is a time that is more than overwhelming to most parents. The NICU is not a place for everyone to feel comfortable, as there are many machines, monitors, tubes and very little baby space. A barrage of questions comes in. Why is my baby in the world? What do all of these machines do? Will my baby be OK? When will I be able to get them home?
Many babies are cared for in our NICU at Ridansh Hospital in Lucknow, and we know that informed parents cope better and bond with the baby with more confidence while in the NICU. This guide helps you to understand what the NICU is, what happens in the NICU and how you can participate in your baby’s recovery from the onset.
What Does It Mean To Be Premature?
A baby who is born before 37 weeks in pregnancy is called pre-term (premature). The last few weeks of pregnancy are dedicated to the last days of organ development and preparation for extrauterine life for a baby, especially for the lungs, brain, digestive system and immune system.
If a baby is born too soon, these systems may not be completely developed for them to do independently. The sooner the baby is born, the sooner he or she will need help. The earlier the baby is born (before 28 weeks), the more intensive care they will require, and the later the baby is born (between 34 and 37 weeks), the shorter the time that they will need in hospital before they can go home.
How and why did the NICU come about?
Since the premature baby’s body is not mature enough to take care of itself, the NICU offers the specialised medical care and environment that it needs. The NICU attempts to answer these questions:
Breathing Support
Lungs are one of the last organs to become fully developed prior to birth. Many premature infants have trouble breathing on their own, or the breathing is inadequate to provide adequate oxygen to the blood. NICU offers breathing assistance, from using small tubes around the nose to help breathe to mechanical ventilation for babies requiring more breathing support. This support is provided until the baby’s lungs are strong enough to function independently.
Maintaining Body Temperature
Premature babies have little body fat and can’t maintain their body temperature as a full-term baby will be able to do. They lose heat quickly, and are unable to produce enough heat to maintain a safe temperature. In the incubator (also known as the enclosed transparent cot you see in the NICU), the baby is kept at the appropriate temperature at all times, and will not have to regulate its own body temperature.
Feeding and Nutrition
The digestive system of a premature baby is not fully developed enough to be able to feed normally in the first few weeks. Sucking and swallowing reflex is present around 34-36 weeks, meaning many premature babies are unable to breastfeed and/or bottle-feed straight away. In the NICU, they will be fed with the use of a small tube inserted into their mouths or noses and through to the stomach or through a tube directly into their veins (intravenous), especially for the most premature babies. Where possible, expressed breast milk is used as it is the most nutritious and immune-protective milk for preterm babies.
Tracking and controlling health
Premature babies are more likely to develop infections, jaundice, low blood sugar, anaemia and, in some instances, bleeding in the brain and/or digestive issues. Vital signs are continuously monitored in the NICU (heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen and temperature), and if there is any change, it is picked up immediately and dealt with to prevent the change from becoming serious.
The role of the parents in care of the NICU Baby
Don’t think that being placed in a NICU means you are separated from your baby. In reality, you are an essential and significant element in your baby’s recovery process – and not just your presence, voice and touch. Talk to your baby in a quiet voice – your baby can hear your voice in the womb, and this will comfort and support them in an unknown place. In the NICU, the baby is encouraged to be placed on a baby surface (kangaroo care), on bare skin, as early as is safe to do so. Kangaroo care has been consistently found to positively influence breathing stability, Temperature regulation, Weight gain and Bonding.
Breastfeeding or expressing milk frequently, even before baby starts to suck, will build up your supply, and make sure baby gets breast milk as soon as they are ready. NICU nurses will introduce you to all the aspects of your baby’s care and encourage you to be as involved as possible while your baby is staying in the NICU.
What is the length of time my baby will stay in the NICU?
How long the baby stays in the NICU will be based on the time at which they were born and their progress. Generally, most premature infants stay in the NICU until about when they were due – the date of their expected delivery. Before discharge, the infant should be breathing spontaneously, self-regulating, feeding well and gaining weight at a steady rate. Your baby’s health care team will be updating you throughout on your child’s progress.
Conclusion
Sometimes, a NICU is as scary as it is a place of great care, expertise and hope. Each machine, each monitor and each team member is present with a single goal – supporting your baby to become healthy enough to go home.
At Ridansh Hospital, Lucknow, our team of neonatal specialists offers cutting-edge neonatal intensive care with empathy and compassion to treat premature and high-risk babies. We’re not only here to help take care of your baby’s health, but your health as a parent, as well. You’re not alone, and your baby’s in capable, caring hands..