Prepping for NICU. Any Suggestions?

Question

Hey Everyone, so my normal happy demeanor is today replace with some solemn news. So I am 32wks tomorrow, and this hasn’t been an exactly easy pregnancy. I dogged all the normal bullets that I expected as a diabetic. My daughters been a wee bit small, but nothing that brought much concern until now.
Today I saw my Perinatologist, my amniotic fluid was starting to drop off, I’ve noticed the past week that I’ve been having a lot of discharge, we now assume it’s fluid because in a week I went from normal to low normal. She also failed her non-stress test today due to lack of fetal accelerations. So I know I’m not going to have her this week, but next week we aren’t so sure.
Obviously I’m back to needing a C-section if they need to take her early. Or at least I assume?  
Anyway on to my questions. Her father and I are first time parents, we have never even stepped foot into a NICU before. What should I expect? How often can I be there? Can he? Can my mom/his parents see her? How can I be there for my daughter without pissing off the nurses? Is it okay for me to be there with her on Christmas? What can I do to make it easier on my fiancé? Myself? Her?
I’m pretty lost guys... and normally I’m a callus bitch so this is saying something...

Answer

You can be there anytime you want. You won't make the nurses upset. It's their job to take care of your baby and to help you do the same. Get involved when you can. That was the biggest thing for me. Ask to take temperatures and change diapers. Do skin to skin anytime you can. My daughter was tube fed for 3 months, and I would do skin to skin with her, while the breast milk was going into her tube. You can also have your family visit. My NICU had a 3 person policy, meaning only 3 people at a time, but the one you are at might be different. Also, ask to speak to the NICU social worker. May seem scary, but she was so helpful for us. She got us set up at the free hotel for parents of NICU babies that the hospital paid for, and we even got free meals when we were there. We were pretty low income at that point in our lives, so it helped so much. Just remember that a NICU stay is like a roller coaster. There will be good days and bad. Just take it one at a time. 💜

Answer

you can be there all the time. some moms pretty much live in the hospital while their baby is there. if she doesnt have any special problem that she cant see people then anyone can go but small kids maybe restricted because its flu season. thats how it was when mine were there in winter no one under 16.

Answer

I lived in my sons nicu room, I was there 24/7, I had visitors a lot my husband stayed there every night as well, ask the nurses if you can help, after awhile they would let me change his diaper, feed him and such!!! Just ask questions and if they need you to leave they will let you know

Answer

I was a NICU volunteer at both the front desk and as a cuddler in my hospital. In my experience, you have unlimited access at any time. You could have up to two people who were allowed to visit and get info from the doctors even if the parents weren’t there, and as many visitors as you want as long as a parent was there. Not at the same time, of course. Limit was 4 adults in the room at one time. No children under ten, I think, were allowed. We had special signs to hang outside the room so that moms could pump or feed in private. Breast milk was stored in the fridge that matched your child’s hospital ID. The more time you spend at the hospital with your baby, the easier it seemed to be on the nurses so they could help babies whose parents just couldn’t be there.

Answer

hi there! 
my son is 14 weeks, and spend 15 days in the NICU. it's a scary time, but the nurses you are going to meet are going to be so helpful and change your life. 
for me, my NICU was an open floor plan. when you walk in, you place your belongings in a sterile plastic bag. then you have to clean up under your fingernails, then use alcohol scrub on your hands and arms. you then scrub up, and you're ready to see baby! 
you can literally live there, just know during shift change you won't be able to stay if it's an open plan (they can't discuss patient care in front of non family). I always used they time to go get some food, take a walk, cry and have some alone time if I needed it. 
something I liked, is that you can decorate your babys bassinet. parents brought pictures and stuff to make it less hospital-y. 
for visitors, only two people were allowed bedside at any given time and one had to be a parent. Grandparents were allowed, and two other guests of your choosing. 
time is going to go really slow. like extremely. but you'll find yourself on the other side of your journey and can't believe how far you've come. if you need a

friend or have any other questions, I'm here. 
photos

for example of decorations on bassinet (and cuteness)

Answer

NICU RN here and you may be able to request a tour of the potential NICU to ask about specific visitation policies and layout Moms and babies being together is best for everyone, so most support parents at the bedside as much as possible. Some NICUs are single private rooms while others have pods with a number of babies grouped in an area together with their nurses. You should have no issues being there for Christmas! Unless there are special issues, you may be able to be induced and deliver vaginally as long as your baby is not in distress. 32 weekers usually do well and only need brief respiratory support, if any, so hoping you have a short NICU course!

Answer

Some hospitals have beds for family to stay if their kids are in nicu.
Hospitals are open on Christmas so you can visit. I'd avoid large groups in the nicu at once as there are usually a number of kids for different reasons but yes family and your so can visit. 
If in doubt, ask the nursing staff at your hospital about it :)
Im doing cupcakes and cards for nicu families this Christmas. Ive never had my own babies go there but it can be tough on the families. The walls of every nicu have heard more prayers than any church.

Prepping for NICU. Any Suggestions?

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