Try to see your baby as soon as possible. It may mean getting there in a wheelchair or going there in a post-anesthesia fog, but the sooner you see the new life you have brought into this world, the better off you will both be Before you go, ask the nurses or doctors what you can expect to see. The equipment and tubing that will help your baby get well are second nature and invisible to the staff that works with them every day, but it is best to be prepared to the extent possible. It may be hard to hear about what to expect or it may be hard to grasp what they are saying, but it will help you get oriented to the new environment.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions! Plan to practice great infection prevention starting with hand hygiene. Newborns, especially those who get a rough start to life, are susceptible to infection. Depending on the type of NICU and the babies they have, don’t be…
