The intensive care nurseries are usually divided into different levels, based on the sophistication of the equipment required by the baby. Not all hospitals will have all 3 levels (this is discussed in transfer to hospital). The following information outlines what you can expect in each level of a typical intensive care nursery.
Level 2 nursery
Equipment and care - What to expect in level 2
Level 3 nursery
Equipment and care - What to expect in level 3
The caregiver carries out the required observations and gives guidance on feeding, bathing, and day to day care as well as helping parents become accustomed to handling their baby. Babies who have been very unwell in levels 2 and / or 3 of the nursery may spend some time in level 1 after they recover and are preparing to go home.
If your baby has spent many weeks or months in the nursery (usually if born very premature), parents will often use the hospital's 'rooming in' facilities close by, or attached to, the level 1 nursery. This is where you can stay overnight with your baby for 24 to 48 hours or so, to continually care for them as you would at home. The caregivers are close by to give advice and support but parents are encouraged to do everything by themselves, so that they can feel more confident about taking their baby home.
Level 1 nursery
Equipment and care - What to expect in level 1
A level 1 nursery caters for babies who need low levels of special care. These can include: