To help answer your questions we have created a list of the most
frequently asked questions.
How long will my baby be on the unit?
It is very difficult to say exactly how long your baby will be
on the neonatal unit as this will depend on his/her condition.
However as a rough guide it would be fair to say that if born
pre-term your baby will be on the unit until the original delivery
date i.e. until they have reached term.
Will we be able to touch our baby?
We feel it is important for you to touch or cuddle your baby as
soon as possible. When you baby is well enough we will help you to
cuddle him/her which will be good for both of you. If your baby is
not well enough for a cuddle then you can hold his/her hand, stroke
his/her head or back, as they find this very soothing. As soon as
the baby's condition is stable enough to allow him/her to be taken
out of the incubator, you will be encouraged to come to the Unit at
regular intervals and cuddle your baby.
Can I breastfeed if my baby is in an incubator?
If your baby is too unwell to breast feed we encourage and
support you to express your milk for as long as your baby is on the
unit. Breast milk can be stored for up to 6 months in the freezer
if your baby is initially too ill to feed. The stored breast milk
can then be given to your baby via the bottle or nasogastric
tube.
What is all the equipment caring for my baby?
Most of the equipment can seem very frightening when you first
come into the unit. Please see the section on equipment for more
information of the individual equipment used.
What are the visiting times and facilities for us and our
family/friends?
Units may vary, therefore we suggest you refer to the
information on the individual units in the appropriate section to
find out more about the visiting times and faciltiies.
Who will be caring for our baby?
The Senior Nurse and Sisters are in charge of the nursing staff,
which includes nurses of all grades, some of whom are in training.
The medical staff consist of Consultants, Registrars and Senior
House Officers (SHO's). If your baby requires surgery a Paediatric
Consultant Surgeon will also be involved in your baby's care. Other
staff who you may see visiting the unit include; Physiotherapists,
Radiographers, Pharmacists, Dieticians and Social Workers. The
Social Workers help parents in practical ways, and can advise about
benefits and maternity rights.
What is IC, HD and SC?
The levels of care will be classified as either Intensive Care,
High Dependency Care or Special Care:
Intensive Care - this provides the whole
range of medical neonatal care, but not necessarily all specialist
services such a neonatal surgery.
High Dependency - this care involves the
continuation of some breathing support and intravenous nutrition,
together with some other care needs that babies have.
Special Care Baby Unit - This may involve
tube-feeding, some additional oxygen support and light therapy
(phototherapy) for babies needing this particular type of
care.
How and when can we speak to a Consultant?
The best time to speak with a Consultant is usually at the end
of a ward round. However it may be worth checking with the nurses
to see if this is convenient or whether it would be better to book
an appointment.
Where can we get more information?
We hope that the website will provide most of your information
needs however there are links to numerous other relevant
websites.