Understanding the NICU: What Parents of Preemies and other Hospitalized Newborns Need to Know

Most parents do not expect to begin life with their new baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Parents of preemies and other hospitalized newborns often feel lost and powerless amidst this new world of medical vocabulary, technology, and numerous health care providers.

Understanding the NICU will guide you through your NICU journey, help you communicate with members of the NICU team, and learn about your babys condition so that you can ask questions and participate as a valuable partner in your babys care. It will also provide important information about how to care for your baby after you leave the hospital and head home with your little one.

Included in the book are inspirational stories from parents who have had their own NICU experiences, bringing hope and comfort to other parents with an infant who is premature or hospitalized.

Understanding the NICU provides you with everything you need to know about:

Common NICU equipment and tests
Common medical problems for babies in the NICU
Special health issues for premature infants
Who's who in the NICU and how to work with the team
Mother-baby factors: effects on newborn health
Feeding your baby
Parenting in the NICU
Birth defects and surgery
Heading home from the NICU
Home at last
Caring for your baby in the first year

Intensive care is stressful by nature and overwhelming at times. Reading this book and learning about what happens in the NICU will help you gain confidence and feel more reassured about your babys care in the NICUand at home. See more