Most of the parents avoid NICU or neonatal care because of the fear of not having proper care. But globally, more than 1million children pass away just after normal birth, while 75% neonatal fatalities happen without NICU support. Scary right?
You never know what the condition will be; that is why it is important to condition the facilities, because a tragedy may happen. Cradle Children Hospital is one of the best hospitals to offer NICU facilities, because they know what truly matters, the safety of your baby. Before you trust those tiny breaths to any services, let’s uncover why newborn care and NICU facilities are crucial and what parents should look for in Jaipur hospitals.
Before That, Here Are Some Facts:
- The day of the birth is one of the most risky days for both mother and the child, with half of the maternal deaths, 40% of the newborn deaths, and stillbirths, as per UNICEF.
- 80% of the newborn deaths occurred due to neonatal infections, trauma, and birth asphyxia, because of the inability to access neonatal care. NICU is designed to prevent these conditions. As per UNICEF, the mortality rate is 28 per 1000 live births.
Now Understand What a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Is?
It is a connotation of a unit that cares for critical birth conditions and focuses on the health and development of the newborns, especially in the first 28 days. This includes monitoring vital signs, providing oxygen or ventilator support, managing infection and premature birth complications, ensuring proper feeding and growth, and providing support and guidance to parents.
These facilities could shape the days of your baby more than you think.
How Long Does the Baby Generally Stay in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?
This is one of the most basic questions that most parents ask. This totally depends on the condition, gestational age, weight of the baby, and how much improvement they are showing. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, and in some cases, it takes months for a baby to overcome danger completely. Here is an estimated guideline that might help you:
- Late preterm (34 – 36 weeks)- 5 to 10 days
- Moderate preterm (32 – 34 weeks)- 2 to 3 weeks
- Very preterm (less than 32 weeks) – more than 3 weeks
- Extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks) – can extend up to 3 or more months
Conditions Treated Under the NICU
- Birth defects- structural or functional issues with the brain, limb abnormalities, or the heart. The most common defects are cleft lip, cleft palate, spinal cord problems, or Down syndrome.
- Apnea- this is a temporary pause in breathing and happens commonly in premature infants, who require respiratory support.
- Bradycardia- slow heart rate caused by apnea. Babies who are born too early have this issue.
- Hypoglycemia- low blood sugar, which requires glucose monitoring.
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)- due to underdeveloped lungs, the baby started to experience difficulty in breathing.
- Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS)- when the baby breathes amniotic fluid mixed with stool just before or during birth. It can cause respiratory and breathing problems and can impact long-term complications.
- Neurological problems- due to lack of oxygen, physical birth trauma, infection, genetic issues, and exposure to toxins can result in neurological problems in the baby, and these should not be delayed in accessing the right treatment.
- Congenital heart defects- due to maternal health, genetic changes, or environmental factors, if the baby’s health doesn’t form in the first 8 weeks, it can lead to issues like a hole in the heart, narrowed vessels, or valve problems, and during delivery, these can cause certain problems, risking the life of the baby.
- Jaundice- most babies suffer from this, and it happens when high bilirubin (yellow pigment from red blood cell breakdown) or blood group incompatibilities impact the liver of the baby.
Factors You Need Before Choosing The Right Neonatal Care Hospital
Also, NICU comes with lots of questions that most parents like: why is my baby here, the condition, treatment, medicines, tests, and the weight. And parents should ask before finalizing anything for their child. Even most of the hospitals lack in providing quality service, which creates a bundle of questions in parents’ minds.
But if you are in Jaipur and want to have a quality NICU facility for your baby, then here are a few things you should consider-
- Level of care- it is basically categorized into four levels, including well-baby nursery (infants who are not critically ill but require support), special care (those who are born after 32 weeks, but have short-term illness), neonatal intensive care unit (born before 22 weeks), and regional care (those who have congenital anomalies). Based on these, the level of care is decided for the baby.
- Expertise and technology- although technology has advanced, it is important to have someone who can offer good treatments.
- Family-centred care- at Cradle, experts take care of the parents too, because they are also in a situation that requires support and guidance.
- Cost- nevertheless, cost is the most crucial, and in that, it is important to consider a maternity plan that covers the expenses, even in the budget.
- Technology- for newborn are sophisticated device and technology has become crucial to facilitate an environment based on their needs.
- 24*7 monitoring and emergency support- delivery time can be unexpected, which is why parents should consider a hospital with 24*7 facilities.
- Support and guidance- for parents, the process is new, which is why it is necessary for them to seek guidance and support from doctors. They guide the adequate steps that are necessary for the baby’s protection, and support so that they can have peace of mind, which helps them to make an informed decision.
At Cradle Children’s Hospital, we don’t promise everything, but we also don’t compromise when it comes to giving the best and most important things that are right for your newborn’s care. It’s the small details in care and organization that have a major impact on newborns’ recovery.
FAQs
Where can I find the best NICU center in Jaipur?
At Cradle Children’s Hospital, you will find the best services. Even the professionals are of high quality and understand the importance of giving the right services. Because when it comes to a child’s health, negligence is not acceptable.
When is neonatal care needed?
If the child is born prematurely, low birth weight, with birth defects, respiratory distress, jaundice, or infection, the child needs care that they cannot get at home or in a normal ward.
Who took care of the baby in NICU?
The team of neonatologists, pediatricians, nurses, consultants, and other fellow residents is the one who takes care of the baby. Team, ensure that the baby receives the best possible care.
Are parents allowed to be in the NICU with the child?
Generally, parents are allowed so that the baby can feel their presence. Especially with infants, doctors allow the mother to be with their child. At Cradle Children’s Hospital, we understand the condition of parents.
Can I touch my baby after birth?
Often yes, but it is important to hold the baby with a gentle touch, because they are most vulnerable at that moment.
Is it allowed for a mother to feed and take care of a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit?
Yes, absolutely, because a mother’s skin-to-skin connection or kangaroo care helps to create a bonding between them, as it stabilizes their vital signs, reduces stress, boosts immunity, and aids in breastfeeding initiation.
Conclusion
Choosing the right care for a newborn is crucial, but it can be overwhelming to make a decision. It doesn’t matter whether it planned delivery or an unexpected complication, it is always better to plan things if they go wrong. The right hospital can make those critical days easy. Proper care, support, guidance, availability, and cost, everything matters when it comes to deciding on NICU facilities. That is why Cradle Children’s Hospital becomes a ray of hope for neonatal care in Jaipur, as their facilities and services ensure that the child gets the best possible care without any compromise.
Moreover, if you have any queries related to your child or anything, book your consultation today and schedule an appointment, or visit our hospital. Because being prepared is always better than being unsure.
