Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
An overview of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Providence Health Care.
Overview
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cares for babies born at 32 weeks or later or babies who require close monitoring or medical intervention after birth. We do our best to keep parent and baby together. We only separate the two if the baby needs respiratory support, IV support or continuous monitoring.
The NICU has a team of specialists to care for your baby. A pediatrician and nurses trained in neonatal care will be your baby’s main caregivers. Your baby’s care team may also include respiratory therapists, lactation consultants and social workers. As St. Paul’s Hospital is a teaching hospital, medical students and residents might also be involved in your baby’s care.
Babies who need more acute medical support are stabilized at St. Paul’s Hospital. Once stable, these babies are transferred to a higher-level care NICU by the BC Infant Transport Team . We work with hospitals around the province to do our best to keep families together and to provide the best care to high-risk pregnant people and their infants.
What to expect
The NICU has nine cribs in an open nursery format. Each baby has a designated family zone within the large room.
Your baby will likely be surrounded by several pieces of equipment. It might be scary to see wires and tubes attached to your baby. Rest assured, all these tools have an important role to play in ensuring your baby grows and thrives. Some of the most common pieces of equipment are:
- A cardio-respiratory monitor to track heart rate and breathing rate
- An oximeter to monitor how much oxygen is in the blood. It is usually attached to the foot or hand.
- An incubator, an enclosed Plexiglas bed that provides a regulated environment.
- A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine has a face mask attached that helps your baby breathe. Note: Babies that require ongoing CPAP support will be transferred to higher level facility
- A ventilator, a machine with a face mask attached that breathes for your baby. Note: Babies that require ongoing ventilator support will be transferred to higher level facility.
- A feeding tube in your baby’s nose to send food right to their stomach until they can safely breast or bottle feed.
- An intravenous (IV) catheter inserted in a vein which is used to deliver fluid or medicine directly to your baby’s bloodstream.
If your baby needs to stay in the NICU for five days or more, you may choose to room in with your baby. We have a Parents’ Room close to the NICU where you can stay. This will allow you to spend more time with your baby and help you build your confidence caring for your baby before you go home.
Feeding your baby in the NICU
Caring for your baby in the NICU
You and your partner are integral parts your baby’s care team. As a partner in care, you will be involved in decisions throughout your baby’s stay. Your bedside nurse will show you how to care for your baby and how to read their cues. The nurse will support you as you learn skills such as kangaroo care, bathing, diaper changing, checking the temperature, and feeding your baby.
Please feel free to ask any questions related to the care of your baby.
Visitors to the NICU
Volunteers in the NICU
We felt so well supported by the staff in the NICU. They gave us so much information about how to care for our baby and what to expect when we get home. Everyone was tremendous in their compassion and their skill.
Discharge
Support for Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Location
The NICU is part of the Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Unit.