ok. so n for nicu isn't terribly creative- but i hope this post can be helpful to some of you that are facing a stay in the nicu and weren't able to have a nicu tour. if you know someone who has a baby in the nicu, or a preemie already at home, this can be helpful for you to see where there baby is/was and what they saw and dealt with, as well as preparing you to visit the baby in the nicu if you get the chance. this first post will be about breathing interventions.
as a disclaimer, all nicu's are different. so the machines may be different, the equipment may look different and the procedures and policies will definitely be different... but the general flow of things will most likely be the same. the neonatal intensive care unit can be overwhelming, scary, and is definitely stressful. it's important to seek out as much help as you can and try to prepare yourself as much as possible. if you have any questions about specific definitions you can look to the right in the margin for the glossary.. it has pretty much every term you could possibly hear. (it opens in a separate window- so no fear- you won't lose track of this post.)
to start with... here is a basic diagram i found online. then we'll go into some categories and pictures.
- in our nicu i never saw a baby with the vent through its nose, but it can be through either the nose or mouth.
- the picc line can also be in the arm, or any large vein.
