Communicating With the Doctor

Communicating With the Doctor

Ask the medical team caring for your baby in the NICU to communicate with you about your baby's condition. If your baby has a condition that was diagnosed before birth, the doctor will explain any changes from the original plan and update you on the baby's progress. When a problem is unanticipated, the doctor or nurse will explain what is going on. In an emergency, the medical staff may not be able to explain things right away, but will do so as soon as things calm down.

Beyond the Delivery Room

Once out of the delivery room, the baby might need intravenous (IV) medications or fluids. And because babies lose heat quickly, your newborn will be put in an incubator or radiant warmer to maintain proper body temperature.
If the baby's breathing is too fast or labored, the medical team may order chest X-rays to determine its cause. Sometimes, blood tests or a foot or hand oxygen monitor can tell the doctor how much help breathing the baby needs. The team may need to give the baby a little extra oxygen or put the baby on a ventilator to assist with breathing.
When the baby's breathing and heartbeat are stabilized, treatment for any birth defects may begin. This evaluation and treatment period can last days or weeks, depending on the baby's condition.

Doctors may also want to take blood tests to rule out any other problems and measure such things as the baby's blood count and blood sugar levels. Some blood tests can take blood from the baby's heel, while others must draw it directly from a vein in the baby's arm.