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A Parent's Guide to the NICU
The Equipment
The monitors provide the nurses and doctor with important
information continuously. As much as possible these monitors are
painless and non-invasive (attach to the outside of the skin). Your
baby will have some, but probably not all, of the following:
Cardiorespiratory Monitor
- This is sometimes referred to as a Heart Monitor or a C-R Monitor.
Three adhesive patches with wires connected to them are placed on
the baby's chest, abdomen, arms or legs. The wires travel to a
machine that displays the baby's heart rate, heart beat pattern,
breathing rate and breathing pattern.
Pulse Oximeter
- The "pulse ox" continuously measures the baby's blood oxygen.
There is a tiny light which is attached to the baby's palm, foot,
finger, toe, or wrist by a piece of adhesive elastic. A cord travels
from the light to a machine that displays the amount of oxygen being
carried by red blood cells in the baby's body. This may be part of
the cardiorespiratory monitor or a separate monitor.
Blood Pressure Monitor
- Blood pressure may be measured periodically by a small cuff placed
around the baby's arm or leg, or may be measured continuously if the
baby has a catheter (tiny tube) into one of the baby's arteries.
Temperature Probe
- A coated wire will be placed on the baby's skin and covered with
an adhesive patch. The coated wire measures the baby's temperature.
This information is used to help regulate the amount of heat from
the overhead heater or isolette.
IV (Intravenous Infusion)
- This is a needle, or small tube, that is placed into one of the
veins of the infant. It is attached by tubing to a container of
fluid. It is used to deliver fluids, medications and nutrients to
the baby. Common sites for IVs are hands, feet, arms, legs, and
scalp.
Umbilical Artery Catheter (UAC) or Umbilical Venous Catheter (UVC)
- This is a small piece of tubing threaded into the baby's artery or
vein in the umbilical stump. In addition to delivering fluids,
medication, and nutrients, blood can be withdrawn painlessly for
laboratory studies.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
- Oxygen (or air) is delivered under a small amount of pressure
through little tubes that fit into the nostrils of the nose.
Delivering oxygen under pressure helps keep the air sacs in the lung
open.
Endotracheal Tube
- This is a tube that goes from the baby's mouth or nose into the
baby's windpipe (trachea). It is secured with tape and attaches by
tubing to a breathing machine. It allows the machine to deliver air
directly to the baby's lungs.
Respirator or Ventilator
- This is a machine to help your baby breathe. Some machines make
the baby's own breaths bigger (synchronized ventilation), or give
breaths like the baby should be taking. Others, called high
frequency ventilators or oscilators hold the lungs open with a
constant pressure and then give hundreds of tiny puffs of air or
oxygen each minute.
EEG Monitor- This machine is used to monitor brain
waves. This monitor can alert the staff to seizures
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