A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 29
An introduction to the NICU and SCN
What is the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) delivers the highest level of care
for babies who require continuous support of their body’s function and
close observation. This level of care provides a whole range of medical care
for babies such as ventilation support for breathing, continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP), intravenous nutrition and in some specialised units,
surgery. Your baby will remain under continuous observation during their
time in the NICU.
What is the Special Care Nursery (SCN)?
This level of care is for babies who have ‘graduated’ from intensive care and
are getting closer to going home but are still fragile and need monitoring.
Special Care Nurseries (SCN) generally provide services such as weaning
from tube-feeding to bottles or breast. In some cases, oxygen or breathing
support and light therapy (phototherapy for babies with mild jaundice) may
be required. SCNs are equipped with incubator units.
How the SCN differs from NICU
It is encouraging to know that your baby is ready to go to the Special Care
Nursery. Your baby is getting closer to going home and is requiring less
intensive care. The medical staff are confident that your baby can maintain
their body temperature and breathe either by themselves or with minimal
assistance. It is worth knowing that some premature babies who need less
intensive care go straight to the SCN after birth, instead of the NICU.
In the SCN, your baby is still closely monitored by nurses, but less often.
If they’ve come from the NICU, then most of the machines and monitors
that were connected to your baby will no longer be needed. Your baby will
come out of the incubator while in the Special Care Nursery and will sleep
in an open cot where you can touch them more easily. This means lots more
cuddles!
In the SCN, you can start to have more independent care of your baby. You
can cuddle them for longer and take over some of their nappy changes and
bathing duties. Your baby might also start to breastfeed.
If you have spent time in NICU, you might have felt at home there as you
knew the staff and the routines. By getting to know the staff in the SCN, you
will start to feel at home there as well.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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