Compassionate care for the tiniest of new arrivals

Each year in the U.S., 1 in 10 babies are delivered preterm, meaning they are before completing the normal 37 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. This often leaves babies with low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) or with a health condition that needs special care. Preterm babies often require stays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to monitor their health around the clock.

Fortunately, UHS’ NICU at UHS Wilson Medical Center provides the highest level of care for the tiniest of new arrivals who require special medical care in the Southern Tier of New York. November is Prematurity Awareness Month— a time dedicated to bringing attention to the health issues of preterm birth and the impact it has on babies and families. It is also a time to learn about the resources available in your community for yourself or a loved one.

The UHS NICU, a 14-bed, Level 3 unit, is the only one in our region. The team of dedicated professionals at UHS care for babies born at 28 weeks and up and their families. Compassion is at the forefront of everything the NICU team does, understanding it can be a difficult time for the families.

Understanding Prematurity

Prematurity Awareness Month is observed every November, with World Prematurity Day on November 17, to raise awareness of preterm birth, the health concerns of premature babies and what we can do to prevent it.

These babies miss the important growth and development in the final weeks, as pregnancy typically lasts until 40 weeks. Preterm birth is also a leading cause of infant mortality. These babies often face short and long-term health problems including:

• Breathing problems: Premature babies may have apnea, which is when a baby stops breathing for a short time. They may also develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease that can lead to lung damage.
• Feeding difficulties: Premature babies may have trouble feeding.
• Anemia: Premature babies may not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to their bodies.
• Other problems: Premature babies may also have cerebral palsy, developmental delay, vision problems, hearing problems and sepsis infections.

Thanks to advances in medical care, babies born preterm have a better chance of survival than before.

A team of compassionate professionals

The birth of a baby is a wonderful time for a family. However, some newborn babies will require care in the NICU. Giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be unexpected for any parent causing emotional distress. Our team understands the added stress of transferring a newborn to the NICU and how it can be overwhelming for families.

The UHS NICU is comprised of a dedicated medical team including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, with at least one Medical Provider always at the hospital. Physical, Occupational and Respiratory Therapists also play a big role in the care of our NICU infants.

The nurses are specially trained to care for the tiniest patients and the needs specific to them, such as their need for respiratory support, nutrition through an IV or central line, individualized oral feeding plans, temperature regulation, developmental care practices, etc.

Sometimes, the NICU often becomes a second home for families due to their infant’s length of stay, and NICU nurses often form close bonds with their patients. The team loves getting updates after a family leaves and seeing the babies thrive.

“Although working in the NICU can be challenging, it is a highly rewarding profession. Those who are drawn to it often stay until they retire,” said Allison Hores, RN, BSN, UHS NICU Nurse Manager. “The UHS Wilson NICU staff truly love their jobs and are passionate about the care they provide to their tiny patients.”

Caring for Caregivers

When a baby ends up in the NICU, sometimes it is not only the baby who needs care; the parents or caregivers may need care too.

Our team does an excellent job advocating for their patients’ needs every step of the way. Parents have the opportunity to be involved in their infant’s care as much as they want during their stay in the NICU.

The NICU is open 24/7 for visitation and encourages involvement/participation from parents and families in Daily Physician Rounds to stay as up to date as possible on their newborn’s health. The team has recently introduced virtual rounds for parents who are unable to be at the hospital during rounding, with phone updates also available as an option.

“The staff advocate for these babies endlessly as well as provide comfort to them when their families cannot be here,” said Hores. “The empathy the NICU Providers and Nurses show to parents helps foster trust in the care we provide to their infants. This trust helps form relationships between the staff, patients and families that often last well beyond their stay in our NICU.”

Entering parenthood can be intimidating enough without a stay in the NICU. Our team works closely with parents to ensure they have the resources they need to take their baby home by providing comprehensive education on caring for a premature infant, hands-on practice with medical equipment, feeding techniques with Lactation Consultants, recognizing signs of distress, proper home environment setup, and access to support services with our social workers.

As babies get ready to graduate and leave the NICU, parents are given the opportunity to stay the night with their infant on the night before discharge so they can care for their baby while still having the NICU staff as a resource.

The NICU team understands that life goes on while patients are in their care and believes that milestones should still be celebrated. Our nurses go above and beyond to make sure special occasions are not missed. This includes making cards for the first holidays, putting together Halloween costumes, pictures with Santa, and placing a going home photo on their ‘On Our Way’ mural. It's the small gestures that help make the NICU experience easier for everyone. At what might be a new parent’s scariest moment, the NICU team is there to make sure your baby receives the care it needs. Our team of dedicated professionals goes above and beyond to make parents comfortable and informed, easing the stress of the situation. Learn more about the UHS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at NYUHS.org.