Understanding the NICU What Parents of Preemies and Other Hospitalized Newborns Need to Know

Invaluable expert information and support for any parent whose infant is admitted to the NICU.

When a newborn is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it can be frightening and overwhelming. Edited by two top NICU doctors and a veteran NICU nurse, this guide will support parents through their baby’s time in the NICU, helping them communicate with members of the NICU team, ask the right questions, and participate as valuable partners in their baby’s care. Understanding the NICU addresses such topics as common NICU equipment and tests, common medical problems for babies in the NICU, special health issues for preterm newborns, feeding and parenting in the NICU, and heading home from the NICU. This updated and fully revised edition also features new inspirational stories from parents of hospitalized newborns, bringing comfort and hope.

Meera Meerkov, MD, FAAP, is a clinical assistant professor in the department of pediatrics and a practicing neonatologist at the University of Michigan C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital and the director of the neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship training program. Gary M. Weiner, MD, FAAP, is clinical professor in the department of pediatrics and medical director of the Brandon Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation’s Neonatal Life Support Task Force and the American Heart Association’s Resuscitation Guidelines Writing Group. Dr. Weiner is the editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation. Jeanette Zaichkin, RN, MN, NNP-BC, has been a neonatal nurse for more than 30 years. She served as the nurse consultant for the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Steering Committee from 1998 to 2022, and served as associate editor of the Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 4th through 8th editions.

Table of Contents Family Story Icons Please Note Acknowledgments Introduction Family Story: Bailey Jo & Abraham Family Story: Kellan Family Story: Christopher Chapter 1 An Unexpected Beginning Family Story: Lucy Chapter 2 The NICU Journey Begins Family Story: Nathan Family Story: Pascal Chapter 3 NICU Equipment and Tests Family Story: August (Auggie) Chapter 4 Common Medical Problems Family Story: Holland & Eden Chapter 5 Your Preterm Baby Family Story: Frankie Chapter 6 Parenting in the NICU Family Story: Maxwell Chapter 7 Feeding Your Baby Family Story: Sienna Chapter 8 Homeward Bound Family Story: Niklas, Gabbie, & Lukas Chapter 9 Home at Last Family Story: Allison & Reece Family Story: Jack & Henry Chapter 10 As Your Child Grows Chapter 11 The Loss of Your Baby Appendix Index