Neonatal care is that the sort of care a baby born premature or sick receives during a neonatal unit.

Units are a neighborhood of hospitals which give look after babies who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks’ gestation), with a medical condition which needs treatment, or at a coffee birthweight.

The word ‘neonatal’ means newborn, or the primary 28 days of life.

Over 100,000 babies are born premature or sick and needing neonatal care within the UK annually . that’s one in seven babies, or around 300 babies a day .

We know that having a baby in neonatal care is probably going to mention an entire range of emotions, and a few of those are often hard to face.

It may be that you simply feel anxious about why your baby has been born prematurely or sick, or about the treatment they’re receiving. The team of health professionals can offer you more information about your baby’s condition and therefore the needs they need .

Why is my baby in neonatal care?

Babies are admitted into neonatal look after many various reasons. the most reasons for a baby to be admitted are:

1. they are born prematurely
2. they have a coffee birth weight
3. they have a selected medical condition that needs treatment in hospital

Sometimes, the explanation for premature birth or a medical condition won’t be known, and you’ll not know exactly why this went on to you.

You can always mention why this may need happened at postnatal check-ups, together with your midwife, or with a member of the neonatal staff on the unit.

What is premature birth?

A baby who is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is going to be called a preterm baby. The neonatal team has different words for various levels of premature birth. they’ll also use the word ‘preterm’ to speak about your baby being born early.

There are alternative ways of describing a premature birth.

1. Term = A baby that has spent a minimum of 37 weeks inside the womb (gestation)
2. Preterm = A baby born before 37 weeks’ gestation
3. Moderate to late preterm = A baby born between 32 and 37 weeks’ gestation
4. Very preterm = A baby born between 28 and 32 weeks’ gestation
5. Extremely preterm = A baby born at or before 28 weeks’ gestation

What does low birth weight mean?

Babies who are born small may have to spend time within the neonatal unit. you would possibly hear the staff use these words if your baby features a low birth weight.

There are alternative ways of describing a coffee birthweight.

1. Low birth weight = Born weighing but 2500g (5lbs)
2. Very low birth weight = Born weighing but 1500g (3lbs)
3. Extremely low birth weight = Born weighing but 1000g (2lbs)

How are medical conditions treated within the neonatal unit?

Neonatal units treat a variety of medical conditions.

This can include problems found before your baby was born. These could be conditions which are carried in your family (called genetic or inherited conditions) or where your baby has developed in an unusual or different way within the womb (called congenital conditions).

Your baby may have a condition because they were born early, or if they were born at term. The staff will offer you information about your baby’s medical condition, but if you ever want to understand more, you’ll ask them. they’re going to be happy to speak to you about any questions you would possibly have.