No, we didn't visit Gilligan's Island (although that would have been fun!), but we did get an extensive tour of the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) yesterday. Jacob and I had pictured a big white, sterile room lined with incubators and machines, but what we saw was quite different than what we had expected. First of all, let me begin by saying that the NICU here is a Level III, which is the highest level of care available for newborns, and the neonatologists, respiratory therapists, and NICU pharmacists are here on-site 24/7.
Every family and their baby have their own private rooms in the NICU, which are equipped with incubators and/or special cribs and all of the machines and monitors necessary to promote growth. They have 2 rooms which are big enough to accomodate triplets. The rooms also have beds, bathrooms, fridges, etc. to make the time you spend with your babies as comfortable as possible. It felt very calm, welcoming, homey and not quite as scary as we had been picturing. Apparently premature babies improve faster and are able to go home sooner when they are in private rooms like these and away from the noise and constant activity of the typical ward-style NICUs.
They also had a plastic baby doll all hooked up and wired so that they could teach us what all of the different gadgets are that could be attached to our babies. And although it looked like a ton of equipment hooked onto the baby, it turns out that most of the wires attached are just different types of monitors.
All of our questions were answered, the day of delivery was explained in detail, and we even got to visit with another family with triplets in the NICU. Overall we felt very comforted knowing that our babies will be so well-taken care of in a first-class NICU. We are SO excited for the big day to arrive!
1 comment:
Dear Erin and Jacob,
It’s been a joy to witness your journey thus far. You’re getting very close to holding your babies. The NICU sounds like a calm and nurturing place. Now that we have this view of the ‘inside,’ we feel one step closer to what will soon become a reality for you. Philippians, 4:6 says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” God is faithful!
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