Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Sometimes, babies need extra care right after birth. The neonatal intensive care units, also known as NICU (pronounced "nick-you") units, across UPMC Magee-Womens help give your baby the best possible start in life.

Our team of providers supports you and your baby by providing special care for critically ill babies and babies born early.

UPMC Magee-Womens has one of the largest NICUs in Pennsylvania - caring for more than 1,500 severely or critically ill babies a year.

What Is the NICU?

The NICU is a special unit in a hospital where experts provide round-the-clock care for babies who are born early, critically ill, or born with a congenital difference.

The NICU has:

• The most advanced technology and equipment that is especially designed for the smallest babies.
• Doctors and nurses who have the highest level of training in treating sick newborns.

This combination of technology and expertise makes the NICU the best place for your sick newborn to get the care they need.

While in the NICU, your baby is monitored at all times, and parents are welcome there 24/7.

There are different levels of NICUs (levels I through IV) to meet the baby's needs. Each level is focused on care, and the baby can be transferred within UPMC to receive the next level of care if needed.

• Level I Newborn Nursery — Treats well newborns in a hospital nursery.
• Level II NICU — Treats newborns who are sick, premature, and may need help eating or staying warm but are otherwise in stable condition.
• Level III NICU — Cares for babies who are more critically ill, very premature, or who require surgery.
• Level IV NICU — Treats newborns who are extremely ill or in critical condition, require major surgery, or need extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) care. ECMO care is used for patients with extreme heart or lung issues.

UPMC's NICUs are located in hospitals in:

• Southwest Pa. — UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital.
• Northwest Pa. and Western New York — UPMC Hamot 
• Central Pa. — UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Lititz, and UPMC Memorial.

What's the difference between NICU and PICU?

NICU stands for neonatal intensive care unit. "Neonatal" means newborns. NICUs typically care for infants after they are born and until they are ready for discharge.

PICU stands for pediatric intensive care unit. This unit provides special care for critically ill children. Babies, toddlers, big kids, and teens up to 18 years old go to the PICU.  

Sometimes, babies move between the two units.

Can parents stay with their baby in the NICU?

At UPMC, we understand that you are a parent, not just a visitor. You are one of the most important members of our care team and the most consistent care provider for your baby.

You can fully participate in caring for your baby while they're in the NICU. We want you to bond with and become familiar with your baby's routines and care.

But also know that it is also okay to take a break. While you are still recovering from delivery, caring for yourself is important. If you have other children, you'll need time to care for them, too.

We have special volunteers who come to the NICU to hold babies when parents need to leave.

Visitor guidelines for the NICU

Because these infants are fragile, there are special considerations and guidelines for visitors to the NICU. Please check with the hospital's NICU for their visitation policies.

Why Would a Baby Need to Go to the NICU?

NICUs care for babies in the first days and weeks after birth.

A baby might need the round-the-clock care of the NICU if they have:

• Anemia.
• Breathing problems.
• Conditions that affect the brain.
• Eye problems.
• Failure to thrive.
• Feeding difficulties.
• Heart conditions.
• Infections.
• Jaundice.
• Premature birth.
• Stomach and digestive disorders.
• Surgery. (Babies may also stay in the NICU after surgery to get strong enough before they go home.)

How do you prepare for a NICU stay?

You may not have much time to prepare for a NICU stay. If you know ahead of time that you may need one, you can contact the ward and schedule a tour. They can give you a welcome packet and any additional information you need.

If you know your child might need to stay in the NICU, consider things like:

• Decoration — Prepare items like family photos, entertainment, a journal, or a favorite pillow or blanket to bring with you.
• Help caring for other children — Enlist friends or family to help care for siblings while you're busy with your new baby.
• Housing — Please ask the team for information on local family housing. If you anticipate a long stay, these options may be more comfortable than staying at the hospital or a hotel.
• House-sitting — If you'll be away from home, coordinate someone who can check on your pets and bring in your mail and packages.
• Meal prep — If you are staying at home, prepare some freezer meals in advance to make the most of the time you're away from your baby.
• Time off work — Talk to your employer about taking time off to care for your child.

What to expect in the NICU?

What you can expect with your baby in the NICU depends a lot on their condition. You can participate in their care and bond with your baby in the NICU in many ways.

These include:

• You can pump milk for the team to feed your baby.
• As often as possible, hold your baby or do skin-to-skin bonding.
• Follow the care team's instructions and help change your baby's diaper or check their temperature.
• Help the care team give your baby medications.
• Hold your baby's hand or touch their head. Avoid stroking your baby.
• Learn how to use the medical equipment your baby may need for continued care at home.
• Talk to them, read them stories, or sing a lullaby. Keep your voice soothing and calm. They'll recognize it from being in your belly.
• Wear a scent cloth on your skin to pick up your scent. Then, place it near your baby's head so they can smell it and feel close to you.

Who staffs the NICU?

Our NICU staff includes specialists who are trained to care for newborns. Examples include:

• Board-certified neonatologists (doctors who specialize in infants).
• Neonatal advanced practice providers.
• Experienced, qualified registered nurses.
• Respiratory therapists.
• Pharmacists.
• Dietitians.
• Lactation consultants.
• Occupational therapists.
• Physical therapists.
• Speech-language therapists.
• Social workers.
• Specially trained volunteers who will rock and hold your baby when you are unavailable.

With UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and our regional UPMC Children's locations, our NICUs have access to many pediatric subspecialists. Specialists can include cardiologists, surgeons, neurologists, and gastroenterologists. 

What Services and Treatments Does the NICU Offer?

NICUs offer all the care your baby may need after birth until they are ready for discharge. Our services and treatments include:

NICU technology and equipment

Some of the technologies and treatments we use in the NICU include:

• Breathing equipment – Designed for tiny airways, this equipment helps babies breathe while protecting their lungs.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) — Equipment that monitors brain activity.
• Monitors — These track a baby's heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels at all times.
• Phototherapy — Treats jaundice.
• Specialized beds — These make it easier to care for babies and help the family feel involved.
• Therapeutic hypothermia — Reduces the impact of brain injury in a baby who had oxygen deprivation at birth.

Discharge services

Our team will provide you with the resources, support, and information you need to confidently bring your baby home prior to discharge.

Neonatal Developmental Follow-up Clinic

After your baby comes home, they may need follow-up care to ensure they're growing and developing as they should. Our Neonatal Developmental Follow-Up Clinic can help.

At this clinic, you can see these specialists all in one place:

• Physical therapist.
• Infant development intervention specialist.
• Pediatrician who specializes in neonatal developmental follow-up.

We'll work with you to create a specific care plan for your baby and help them meet their developmental needs.

NICU Parent Education Support Group

The NICU Parent Education Support Group is an inpatient hospital support group for families with babies in the NICU. We offer it in each of the four hospitals where we have a NICU.

Families can meet each other and learn from each other. There are also guest speakers to educate families on various NICU-related topics. There are fliers in the NICU unit with more information.

Neonatal care research

UPMC is a world-class research institution. We bring that same level of passion to researching neonatal treatments and techniques.

Our research has helped:

• Advance new ways to treat preterm babies in respiratory failure.
• Create new pain assessment and readiness-to-feed tools.
• Develop laser eye surgery to reduce or eliminate blindness.

Want to Nominate a Nurse Who Made a Difference?

We encourage families to nominate a special nurse who helped care for their baby for the DAISY Award. This award recognizes nurses who've made a difference with their skillful, compassionate care.

Why Choose UPMC for Having Your Baby?

UPMC is focused on what families need today and tomorrow. We care about you and your baby's health every step of the way.

We offer:

• Dedicated hospital for women and babies — Generations of families have chosen to depend on the expertise and compassion of UPMC Magee-Womens for the maternity services, childbirth and postpartum care.
• Access to more women's services – UPMC Magee-Womens treats women throughout their lives, delivering care across Pennsylvania and beyond. There are providers ready to provide specialized women's health services to you.
• Support before and after pregnancy — We offer a full range of pregnancy and childbirth services. From fertility treatments to breastfeeding support, you're never alone. We're always ready to help.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-09-05 by Carey Welsh, MD.