babyMaternity Magazine 7 Priceless Tips for NICU Parents

7 Priceless Tips for NICU Parents

Common NICU Terms, courtesy of www.babyfirst.com

Adjusted Age: The child’s age minus the number of weeks he or she was born early. Adjusted age is calculated until approximately age 2.
Apnea: When a baby stops breathing for 20 second or longer also known as an “episode” or a “spell” and is commonly associated with low heart rate (bradycardia).
Blood gases: The amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and degree of acidity in the blood.
Bradycardia (“Brady”): An abnormally low heart rate due to a pause in breathing.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): Tubes are attached to a ventilator and oxygen is delivered through baby’s nostrils. This helps baby breathe, but does not breathe for her.
Incubator (or Isolette): An enclosed bassinet used to keep preemies warm.
Kangaroo Care: Skin to skin contact between parent and baby.
Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube): Flexible tube inserted through the nostril, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. It is used to give food or remove air from the stomach.
Room air: This is the air we breathe without oxygen support.
Ventilator (or respirator): A mechanical breathing machine that delivers air to baby’s lungs. The ventilator breathes for baby as their lungs recover.