Trinity NICU Services

Founded in 1975, Trinity Health’s NICU is a regional referral center for premature and ill newborns. Led by board-certified neonatologists, a team of specially trained nurses, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians use specialized technology and a variety of developmental care techniques to help babies grow. Thanks to this holistic approach, babies achieve important milestones before leaving the NICU.

About the NICU

Trinity’s NICU is located next to the Family Birth Center and is designed to support the family while providing for the infant’s physical and developmental needs.

There are 12 single rooms, plus three rooms to accommodate twins, one room for triplets, and a room specifically designed for families to prepare for the transition home. Each room contains dedicated neonatal care equipment and a space for families to relax, rest and bond with their baby. A family lounge is also available with a kitchenette and seating areas if families wish to step away from the bedside. The NICU also features two nurses’ stations with central monitoring and a dedicated milk prep room to ensure safe feeding.

Visitation Guidelines

Parents are an essential part of baby’s care team and can be with their baby as often as they’d like.

There can be up to four individuals in the room at a time. Siblings that are up to date on CDC vaccination requirements may visit as long as they are well and accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Please discuss visitation plans in advance with your baby’s nurse so that we can plan for a positive experience.

No one showing signs or symptoms of illness is allowed to visit the NICU. All persons entering the NICU will perform a soap and water scrub from fingertips to elbows. This must be done every time someone leaves the area and then returns.

Hands-on Care in the NICU

There are many ways to participate in the care of your baby. You can change diapers and take temperatures. You can do skin-to-skin bonding. Eventually, you will be able to bathe and dress baby. These basic caregiving tasks can initially feel overwhelming, especially when handling wires and tubes, but the NICU staff will teach and support you until you are comfortable doing it on your own.

Goals to Meet Prior to Going Home

Every baby is unique and develops at their own pace. Our highly trained staff will complete tests and watch for signs that your baby is ready to go home. Specific milestones that must be reached before discharge include:

• Baby is medically stable without episodes of apnea (long pauses in breathing) or bradycardia (abnormal slowing of the heart rate)
• Baby can maintain their temperature in an open crib.
• Baby can consistently breast and/or bottle feed AND consistently gain weight.

Check out the entire list of goals to meet prior to discharge here.

The most important thing to remember is your baby’s original due date is only one part of the equation. Your baby will tell you when they’re ready to go home, so spend your time in the NICU learning your baby’s cues not just watching the calendar.

Rooming-In Before Discharge

Almost all parents will “room in” with their baby before going home. Think of this as a practice session where you can stay at the hospital for the day and night (or maybe longer) and provide all the care that your baby needs. The NICU team will be there to answer questions and guide you through this transition to help you feel confident and comfortable when it’s time to take your baby home.