Care for Well Newborns at Henderson
Although most parents are able to bring their newborns home within a day or two after birth, some infants may be born prematurely or may have needs and conditions that require additional, specialized medical care.
When this occurs, the Level I / Level II nurseries at Henderson Hospital are ready to provide the care that some infants may need.
Nursery and NICU Levels
The American Academy of Pediatrics describes four distinct levels of nursery care in its 2012 (most recent) policy statement:
Level I — Well newborn nursery
Level II — Special care nursery
Level III — Neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU)
Level IV — Regional neonatal intensive-care unit (Regional NICU)
Level I Well Newborn Nursery
The Level I well baby nursery at Henderson Hospital has the capacity to provide neonatal resuscitation and care to healthy newborns; stabilize care for babies born at 35 to 37 weeks’ gestation who are physiologically stable; and stabilize newborns who are born less than 35 weeks’ gestation until they can be moved to our Level II special care nursery or transferred to a facility with Level III or Level IV care. In the Valley Health System, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center and Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center provide care for seriously ill or premature infants through Level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Level II Special Care Nursery
Our Level II 8-bed special care nursery is capable of caring for babies born at or greater than 32 weeks gestation or babies who are full- term but require close monitoring or intravenous antibiotics after birth. This unit can treat babies with some health problems of prematurity, such as jaundice and trouble eating or staying warm.
We incorporate a family sensitive care approach and promote parent-infant bonding. Your baby will be cared for a by a team of highly trained neonatal team, including doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, occupational, physical therapists and others.
Couplet Care
Henderson Hospital supports couplet care, which gives Mom, your baby and family members a private, comforting place to bond for the extent of your hospital stay. This service is available for both natural and cesarean deliveries. The first few hours following birth are important to your baby’s development. Medical staff uses this time to initiate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding if you so choose. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding can offer many benefits:
- Allows your baby to get familiar with your voice, your smell and your face
- Breastfeeding lowers the risk of illness for both mother and baby as they age
- Mothers who breastfeed can recover quicker from childbirth
- Breastfeeding can save you money on formula expenses
Couplet care also gives you a chance to receive special attention from the nurses while at the hospital. They can educate you and your family about important infant-care methods, such as your baby’s sleep patterns, breathing sounds and eating habits. The dialogue is open and gives you the chance to ask questions and communicate freely with medical professionals.
Benefits of couplet care may also include:
- A caring atmosphere, focusing on your baby’s development
- The involvement from your partner and family members
- Having your baby close to your bedside at all times
- Time to get to know your baby’s personality and patterns
Mothers and families who’ve taken advantage of couplet care often leave the hospital with less anxiety and more confidence to care for their baby.
Find a Doctor
If you need a referral to a physician who is affiliated with Henderson Hospital, call our free physician referral service at 702-388-4888.