You want the best care possible for your newborn babies. What do you look for? What are the different levels of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care? Look to the larger Hospitals in your area for Level II and Level III NICU care facilities. Ask your health care provider (Doctor). Never be afraid to ask questions about your pregnancy or infant care. Chances are very high that one of your infants will be under the care of the NICU (pronounced 'Nickyou')
Look for Level II or Level III Nurse Care. Level III is ideal for multiple birth NICU care.
Level I - Level I nurses are not common anymore because the newborn stays now with the mother after delivery. Back in the 1950's, the average stay was 8-11 days and a Level I nurse was needed. Now it is not uncommon for mother to be discharged within 12 - 24 hours after a singleton, vaginal delivery with no complications.
Level II- Level II nurses are more common in hospitals for infants that are born prematurely or need round the clock monitoring, care, and treatment. This could be intravenous therapy, feeding, or supplemental oxygen for infants with under developed lungs or other conditions. At minimum you want to look for a Level II facility.
Level III- Level III nurses specialize in the NICU. They watch infants every hour, round the clock, monitoring, and recording, ventilators, vital signs, incubators, to make sure there are no complications. These nurses work for and report to specialists with additional training in newborn intensive care. Level III Nurses work for Neonatologists. Neonatology is basically a sub specialty of Pediatrics. A hospital specialty. The job of the Level III nurse is to care for your newborn in the NICU. It is the Level III nurses job to teach the newborn parents on how to care for their newborn from the NICU. What to watch for, what complications, signs, and symptoms to look for. When to take their infant back to the hospital.
A Level III NICU provides the specialized care for premature newborns. Premature babies are born 28 weeks gestational or less. Premature babies are 1000g. Level III is the highest level of care in NICU. A facility staffed and equipped to handle specialty care is what to look for.
Wouldn't you rather make that choice up front than transport your infant for that care should it be required? When choosing a facility always consult your health care provider, your Doctor. Which do they prefer and why? Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Go or call the hospital and ask for a tour. Don't just go on line and view the facility like you would a hotel room. Go there. Take a walking tour of the labor and birth suites as well as the NICU.
Premature babies are born 28 weeks gestational or less. Premature babies are 1000g or less.
