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- Q What should I know about using my cell phone in the NICU?
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Cell phones are a great way to keep in touch with people and share news about your baby. But cell phones -- and other electronic devices such as media players and laptop or tablet computers -- also pose challenges in the newborn intensive care unit... Full Answer
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- Q Will I be able to touch my baby while he's in the NICU?
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Even though your baby is in the hospital, you can still give him your love and attention in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). All the technology in the world can’t provide the love and support of caring parents. Research shows that... Full Answer
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- Q What will the NICU be like for my baby?
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To help babies better cope with their surroundings, each NICU tries to keep environmental stimulation to a minimum. Some ways to reduce environmental stimulation are: Dimming the lights Keeping the noise level down (by lowering the volume on... Full Answer
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- Q How will my baby be monitored in the NICU?
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Your baby will be closely monitored throughout her stay in the NICU. This means wires, tubes, patches, probes, and machines -- which can all be scary. It can be difficult to watch your little one being poked and prodded and hooked up to machines.... Full Answer
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- Q What will happen if my baby's vital signs become abnormal in the NICU?
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If any of your baby’s vital signs become abnormal, an alarm will sound to alert the NICU staff. Sometimes a monitor may alarm for a non-emergency reason, such as a loose electrode, an extra heartbeat, hiccups, or increased muscle activity... Full Answer
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- Q Why is my baby in an incubator in the NICU?
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When your baby is transferred to the NICU, he may be placed in an open warmer, an incubator, or a combination bed that can function as both an open warmer and an incubator (the Giraffe OmniBed). An open warmer is an open table that allows easy access to... Full Answer
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- Q What breathing equipment may be used for my baby in the NICU?
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A variety of devices can help your baby breathe better in the NICU or give your baby additional oxygen. These may include the following: Nasal cannula: This is a flexible, hollow tube with two small prongs that fit just below the baby’s... Full Answer
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- Q How does a ventilator help my baby breathe in the NICU?
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A ventilator is attached to your NICU baby by a small, plastic tube leading from the baby’s mouth to the windpipe. This tube is called an endotracheal (ET) tube. The ventilator sends air through this tube into your baby’s lungs. Since... Full Answer
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- Q Why might my baby in the NICU have intravenous (IV) therapy?
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Babies who are premature, have breathing problems, or are too sick or stressed to receive medicine and nutrients by mouth will have intravenous (IV) therapy. Intravenous means "within a vein." IV therapy involves putting a small, flexible tube... Full Answer
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- Q How is an IV pump used for babies in the NICU?
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In the NICU, your baby's intravenous (IV) catheter may be hooked up to an IV pump. An IV pump is a machine that allows caregivers to program the exact amount of nutrients or other fluids delivered to your baby. An alarm on the IV pump may be set... Full Answer
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