Why we love Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Units

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and Special Care Units (SPUs) play a crucial role in saving the lives of newborns who are ill or born prematurely. The commitment and dedication of the healthcare professionals in NICUs and SPUs not only save lives but also provide tremendous support to families during some of the toughest times of their lives. They exist primarily to support infants requiring specialised medical care, including those born before 37 weeks of gestation or with congenital conditions.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals

The healthcare team within a NICU and SPUs includes neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and various specialists who collaborate to deliver comprehensive care. Nurses are often the primary caregivers, offering both medical care and emotional support. The connection that nurses establish with infants and their families can have a profound lifelong impact.

The Emotional Impact on Families

Having a baby in hospital can be an incredibly overwhelming experience for parents.

Many hospitals have implemented family-centered care practices, which allow parents to engage in their baby's care through methods like skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care). Research indicates that this approach can improve outcomes for premature infants by promoting bonding and better physiological response.

Joy's Story - the Lasting Impact of NICU/SPU care

Our first son, Teddy arrived with a bang, at 33 weeks. My preemie baby. We were quickly introduced to the caring world of NICU and Special Care in Canberra. Spending his first three weeks of life in the care of wonderful nurses, it helped ease the daily heartache of leaving him in hospital each night after visiting hours. At Canberra Hospital, each cot had a camera just above their beds which allowed parents to log-in from home to check on their babies. This simple feature was profound for caregivers who may be far away and to ease the anxiety of leaving your precious baby in hospital.

The wonderful nurses that loved and held Teddy when we couldn't, and prepared him for the outside world - we will be forever grateful for. We brought home Teddy (healthy and well) on Easter Friday after three weeks in hospital. Even though it was a traumatic and unexpected start to newborn family life, we will be forever grateful for the expertise and care we received in hospital. We are lucky to have free medical care in Australia and couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the world in the same situation.

Teddy is now 7 years old and absolutely thriving.

Joy with Teddy - Kangaroo care all day long