Moving to NICU at BWH
What is a Neonatal Unit?
You are likely travelling to Birmingham Women’s Hospital because your baby is sick and requires a greater level of care than can be provided at another hospital.
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is recognised as a centre of excellence for neonatal services, providing care to babies born prematurely, with low birth weight or who have a medical condition that requires specialist treatment.
Neonatal networks
Birmingham Women’s Hospital is one of many neonatal units in the West Midlands region.
It may be that when your baby gets older or improves that you can move to a hospital closer to where you live.
F.A.Q.
Birmingham Women’s Hospital NICU
When can I visit?
We do not class parents as ‘visitors’ and encourage you to spend as much time with your baby on the neonatal unit as possible. The baby’s siblings are the only children permitted to visit and must be supervised at all times. Both parents and siblings are welcome to visit at any time.
There may be times when you are asked to leave your baby’s nursery and care area. This may be in instances such as an emergency, when a sterile procedure is taking place to reduce the risk of infection or to maintain your own safety (for example during an X-ray). We will always try to keep these times to a minimum and work with you to ensure the best time.
If you have a cold, cough or an upset stomach, or think you have recently been in contact with someone who has, please refrain from visiting your baby. We ask that you are clear of all symptoms for 48 hours before you return. Other infectious diseases, including chicken pox and measles could be particularly dangerous for some of our babies, so please do not visit if you have been in contact with them recently. Do not hesitate to speak to a member of our team who will advise you to the most appropriate action to take.
Premature babies are vulnerable to infection because their immune systems are immature, so the most important thing you can do to protect your baby is to make sure that when you visit you wash your hands thoroughly when entering the NICU.
You’ll notice that sinks are located opposite our NICU reception desk, along with alcohol gel available to use near the entrance of each nursery. When you leave your baby, please wash your hands again and use alcohol gel. Every member of staff is reminded to wash their hands before and after handling any baby, however please do not hesitate to remind staff.
We understand that as parents, you may feel helpless and think that you cannot do anything for your baby, but please be assured that this is not the case. There are many very important things that you can do for your baby. Nurses and doctors will help, encourage and support you to be involved as much as you feel able. As you gain confidence, we hope that you will be able to be involved with many aspects of your baby’s care.
Our ward round begins at 9.00am. The speed of the ward round will vary according to how poorly our babies are at the time. During this time you’ll have the opportunity to meet the doctors, tell them about your baby’s progress and any concerns and ask any questions you may have. If you are unable to be present and wish to talk to a doctor, please ask the nurse caring for your baby, who will arrange a suitable time for you.
Please bring in your baby’s toiletries (nappies, nappy sacks and baby clothes). You are welcome to bring presents for your baby, but please be aware of some restrictions below.
- Latex (stretchy rubber) balloons are not permitted as some people may have a latex allergy
- Flowers are not permitted because water in a vase can develop a bacterium that can cause infection
- Please keep cuddly toys to a minimum and ensure that they have been washed before being brought to the unit to reduce the risk of infection
- We would appreciate you keeping the area around your baby’s cot-side tidy so our nurses can easily access your baby
Please note that the hospital cannot accept responsibility for any loss of or damage to personal property.