NICU consult questions

KariAnnM 23

I am currently on hospital bed rest for delayed interval delivery. Our little angel was born at 17w5d. Thankfully the hospital was able to stop labor and I am now 23w5d with her brother. I have a NICU consult on Thursday and was wondering what type of questions I should ask. Is there Anything you wish you knew beforehand?

babybean82

I would say make sure they send someone nice that is willing to answer any questions and give you good explanations, and if the one that comes isn't that way don't be afraid to ask for someone else. When I had mine they sent a Dr who basically only told me the worst case scenarios and scared the crap out of me, he wasn't very nice either and so I didn't feel comfortable asking questions at all. 

There is a lot that you will learn once your lo is born and is in the NICU and it's really hard to comprehend all of it before you can see it, but always ask questions, that's my best advise I guess. Maybe see if they can give you a tour of one of the rooms so you can see and understand the equipment? 

KTZ17

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter, and I hope your son stays put for many more weeks. At our NICU consult, the neonatologist told us what we could expect from a 30 weeker vs a 34 weeker (I was supposed to be on hospital bed rest from 30-34 weeks, but that didn't work out). He explained what CPAP is and the risks of delivering early. You may want to ask what interventions a baby born at a certain gestational age might require, like if you had him at 25 weeks versus at 28 or 30. I would also ask about visiting hours/restrictions, and personally I had issues being allowed to pump right away, so I'd try to make arrangements to have them provide you with a pump as soon as possible after delivery. Again, I hope your son stays put much longer and that you won't have to face much, if any, NICU time.

rcnavywife

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter.

I agree with pp, asking about visitors, if you can be there anytime, expected interventions depending on the gestational age, parent support group. Our NICU had a donor human milk program that they told me about during my consult, and I'm so glad they did. It took the stress off when it took my milk several days to come in.

Best of luck, I hope your baby boy stays put for many more weeks.

Xath

Very sorry for the loss of your daughter. 

In addition to what PP mention, I'd ask them what level NICU they are, and what equipment do they have available?  Do they have an ECMO machine?  If they're not a level 3B or 4 NICU, what other hospitals do they have partnerships with?  How do they medevac to those facilities; and who will be able to travel with baby if anyone?  

Does the NICU have a step-down?  Are there private rooms for the babies, and can the parents stay 24 hours?  What's the nurse to patient ratio?  What time do the neonatologists do rounds, and are the parents allowed to participate in rounds?  

jbranden12

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. PPs above have offered great questions. Only ones I would add if you are wanting to breastfeed would be lactation support questions like are there pumps in the NICU, do breastfeeding moms get meal vouchers, etc. 

Friskypuppys

Big hugs.  Hang in there. 

Also ask if there is a routine for how to wash your hands.  The first days, they just took me to a sink and told me to wash for two minutes, then when I started to come in on my own, suddenly there was a whole routine including sanitizer.