Le Lézard
Classified in: Health, Covid-19 virus
Subject: CHI

Navigating the NICU


MISSION, Kan., Nov. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features) If you have a baby who is born too early or has serious health problems, he or she may be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a hospital unit that provides around-the-clock specialized care to newborns.

The NICU can be an overwhelming place with lots of machines, hospital staff and medical terms. If you or someone close to you is pregnant, understanding what to expect if a NICU stay is required can help you focus less on the surroundings and uncertainty and more on taking care of the new baby and yourself.

Learn the ins and outs of the NICU with information from March of Dimes, the nation's leading nonprofit that advocates for the health of all moms and babies, which partners with hospitals across the country through its NICU Family Support® program to provide in-person and online support for families with babies in the NICU.

Common NICU Conditions

Babies born too early and other sick newborns may face a variety of medical issues. Among common causes for a NICU stay may include preterm birth, complications during labor and delivery, birth defects, genetic conditions or other illnesses.

Tests to Expect in the NICU

Your baby may have tests and monitoring done in the NICU to determine health conditions and treatments for him or her to grow and be healthy. Some tests, like blood tests, are common. Others are just for babies with certain health conditions. Depending on his or her condition, your baby might need scans or imaging to find out what's happening, like a CT scan, echocardiogram, MRI, ultrasound or X-ray. You can also expect various screenings for vision and hearing, and monitoring for things like weight changes and urine tests, which can tell health care providers about your baby's overall condition.

Coping with Stress in the NICU

When your baby is in the NICU, it may be hard to think about taking care of yourself. However, taking care of yourself can help you stay well and have more energy to spend time with your baby.

Paying for Your Baby's NICU Stay

Health insurance helps pay for medical care. You may get health insurance from your employer, from the government or buy it on your own. If your insurance doesn't cover all the health care costs for your baby, ask the NICU social worker or case manager about your options. A social worker can assist you with finding resources and services to help care for your baby. You can also meet with the hospital's finance department about setting up a payment plan. A case manager may also oversee a baby's discharge from the hospital and help set up home care services and supplies, if needed.

Learn more about the NICU and find articles and resources for your family at marchofdimes.org/NICU.

Answers at Your Fingertips

Having a newborn in the NICU can be overwhelming. You're likely to have lots of questions and need access to tools that help you through the NICU stay. You can learn about NICU staff, policies, equipment and terminology on your own schedule with the March of Dimes My NICU Baby App, which provide answers, tools and support so you can focus on your baby during what is often a difficult time.

The app (available for iOS and Android devices) was developed to help parents cope with a baby's early birth, complications like birth defects and other issues that may lead to a NICU stay. It includes features like tracking breastfeeding sessions, breast pumping and kangaroo care time, taking photos and connecting with other families with similar experiences.

Life After the NICU

It can be hard to get used to being at home with your baby after a stay in the NICU. These tips can help you adjust to life at home with your baby:

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Michael French
[email protected] 
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com

About Family Features Editorial Syndicate
A leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at Culinary.net and eLivingToday.com.

 

SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate


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