Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Unity Hospital

Some babies arrive needing a little more help than others — born early, born small, or facing a rough start in their first hours of life. Unity Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) exists to give these newborns exactly the specialized, round-the-clock support they need, in an environment designed specifically for the unique fragility of a newborn's body.

What Our NICU Does

Our NICU is a dedicated space, separate from the general nursery, equipped and staffed to manage newborns who cannot yet manage on their own — whether that means help with breathing, temperature regulation, feeding, fighting infection, or simply time to grow before they're ready to go home.

Babies We Care For

Our NICU team is equipped to manage:

• Premature babies born before full term
• Low birth weight babies
• Newborns with breathing difficulties or underdeveloped lungs
• Babies requiring treatment for jaundice
• Newborns with suspected or confirmed infection
• Babies with low blood sugar at birth
• Newborns who needed resuscitation immediately after delivery
• Babies with feeding difficulties in the first days of life

Our NICU Facilities

• Temperature-controlled incubators that recreate a stable, womb-like environment for premature and low-birth-weight babies
• Continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing, and oxygen saturation
• Respiratory support ranging from supplemental oxygen to more advanced ventilatory support
• Phototherapy units for treating newborn jaundice safely and effectively
• Strict infection-control protocols, since newborns have very limited immune defenses
• On-site laboratory access for rapid blood testing
• A team trained specifically in the physiology and needs of newborns, distinct from general pediatric or adult care

The NICU Team

Newborn critical care requires a distinct skill set, and our NICU is staffed by pediatric specialists and nurses trained specifically in neonatal care. This team works as a single unit — assessing each baby multiple times a day, adjusting incubator settings, oxygen levels, and feeding plans in small, careful steps that reflect just how sensitive a newborn's body is to change.

How Care Progresses

1. Immediate Assessment – Every baby admitted to the NICU is evaluated right away to determine exactly what level of support they need.
2. Stabilization – The first priority is always breathing, temperature, and blood sugar — the three areas most likely to put a vulnerable newborn at risk.
3. Ongoing Monitoring – As the baby stabilizes, our team watches trends over hours and days, adjusting support gradually rather than making sudden changes.
4. Feeding & Growth – Weight gain and feeding tolerance are tracked closely, since steady growth is one of the clearest signs of recovery.
5. Discharge Readiness – Before going home, parents are walked through exactly how to care for their baby, including any follow-up appointments or warning signs to watch for.

Involving Parents in the Journey

A baby in the NICU is still, first and foremost, someone's child — and we treat parents as part of the care team, not just visitors. We encourage skin-to-skin contact and involvement in feeding and care routines whenever the baby's condition allows, and we make sure parents always know what's happening and why, in language that doesn't require a medical degree to understand.

Why Choose Unity Hospital's NICU

• Specialist neonatal team trained specifically in newborn critical care
• Advanced incubators, monitoring, and respiratory support equipment
• Strict infection-control standards protecting the most vulnerable patients
• Close coordination with our Obstetrics & 24-Hour Delivery Care team for high-risk deliveries
• Family-centered approach that keeps parents informed and involved
• Clear discharge planning so the transition home is safe and confident

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my baby need to stay in the NICU?
It depends entirely on the reason for admission and how quickly the baby progresses — anywhere from a few days to several weeks for babies born very early or with more complex needs.

Can I hold my baby while they're in the NICU?
In most cases, yes, once the baby's condition allows — our team actively encourages parental bonding as part of the recovery process and will guide you on when and how it's safe.

Will my premature baby be healthy long-term?
Most premature babies who receive appropriate NICU care go on to develop normally, though outcomes depend on gestational age and specific complications, which our neonatal team will discuss with you directly.

What can I do to help while my baby is in the NICU?
Staying involved — visiting, participating in feeding and care routines when possible, and asking questions — genuinely helps both your baby's recovery and your own peace of mind.

At Unity Hospital, our NICU is dedicated to giving every newborn, however small or however difficult their start, the best possible chance at a healthy beginning.