Nurses: Nurses are your babies second line of defense to a parent or guardian. They typically spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the bed side. At the 2 hospitals Donavon was at there were nurses called "primaries" or "primary nurses". If you find a nurse that has a good connection with your baby and your family it may be a good idea to have a conversation about them becoming a primary nurse for your baby. This ensures that typically if they are working they will be your child's caretaker. This was the greatest comfort I found when I returned to work, they became part of the family. It is nice to know that when mommy and daddy are gone there is someone there that loves your baby.
Doctor's: Neonatologist are the "main" Doctor's in the NICU. They will be in and out all day everyday checking on each and every baby in the NICU. They will be the one's to make the judgement calls for the baby in getting specialist and/or surgeons in. They also decide on medicines, oxygen levels, x-rays, scans, when mom and dad can begin holding a baby, and much more. Surgeons will also round in the NICU. If your baby has surgery at any point while in the hospital, a Surgeon will follow up until they are no longer needed.
Respiratory Therapist: If there is a baby on a vent, oxygen, this team will check levels on the machine often as well as administer any medications needed for the lungs such as an inhaler. If there is a baby not breathing good, desating, they may come and "bag" the child until they can breathe without it again.
Pastoral Care: If you are interested there is Pastoral Care at most hospitals. They will come and pray with you or take prayer requests. There is also a Chapel in most hospitals to have private time to think and pray.
Therapist: Some babies will need therapy from very early on. There are Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapist to work with babies several times a week. Donavon has gotten therapy since 1 month old.
Other Parents/Families: It is almost impossible to avoid other families. Some hospitals have babies in close quarters and neighbors are nice to talk to. There are also NICU waiting rooms for parents and families where a lot of talk happens. Some people are relieved to meet people going through similar situations.
Doctor's: Neonatologist are the "main" Doctor's in the NICU. They will be in and out all day everyday checking on each and every baby in the NICU. They will be the one's to make the judgement calls for the baby in getting specialist and/or surgeons in. They also decide on medicines, oxygen levels, x-rays, scans, when mom and dad can begin holding a baby, and much more. Surgeons will also round in the NICU. If your baby has surgery at any point while in the hospital, a Surgeon will follow up until they are no longer needed.
Respiratory Therapist: If there is a baby on a vent, oxygen, this team will check levels on the machine often as well as administer any medications needed for the lungs such as an inhaler. If there is a baby not breathing good, desating, they may come and "bag" the child until they can breathe without it again.
Pastoral Care: If you are interested there is Pastoral Care at most hospitals. They will come and pray with you or take prayer requests. There is also a Chapel in most hospitals to have private time to think and pray.
Therapist: Some babies will need therapy from very early on. There are Physical, Speech, and Occupational Therapist to work with babies several times a week. Donavon has gotten therapy since 1 month old.
Other Parents/Families: It is almost impossible to avoid other families. Some hospitals have babies in close quarters and neighbors are nice to talk to. There are also NICU waiting rooms for parents and families where a lot of talk happens. Some people are relieved to meet people going through similar situations.
