September is neonatal intensive care unit, or “NICU” awareness month, and this awareness is especially important for our readers who have a baby diagnosed with HIE from birth. The NICU, in many instances will be the first stop for critical care for babies who have suffered a brain injury at birth. NICU medical professionals work tirelessly to provide the best care that they can for babies who need important care.
The NICU is there to provide not only critical care for the babies, but to also educate and help parents begin to understand not only their baby’s diagnosis, but how this diagnosis might impact their baby into the future.
Here at HIE Resource Place, it is our experience that for many families, they are first introduced to the NICU immediately at birth. Either the baby will be blue in color, or will have to be resuscitated, or will be dealing with complications from meconium aspiration syndrome, among other things, which will prompt handoff to the NICU team. In some instances, the NICU professionals will already be on standby because of complications that have occurred with either mom and/or baby. For example, these complications can be due to umbilical cord issues, to placenta or uterine problems, among other things. Because HIE is essentially a reduced level of blood and oxygen which can lead to a brain injury, these babies will often need all the help that the NICU can provide. Hope is a strong characteristic of the NICU!
September is NICU awareness month to help the public understand the importance of the NICU and the professionals who work to keep the NICU going. Please visit the link at the start of this article to get more insight on not only September being NICU awareness month, but on the important work that goes on in the NICU.
Thanks for reading from your friends at HIE Resource Place.