Neonatal Care

High-risk pregnancy care isn't just care for moms, but also for her babies. Often time, babies whose moms had a high-risk pregnancy are also high-risk and need an extra level of care not available in a traditional nursery or hospital setting. It's important that these babies have access to a neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.

Our Comprehensive Cradle of Care for your Newborn

Special Nurseries and Newborn Intensive Care Units:

At our four SSM Health birthing hospitals in St. Louis, our wide range of obstetric and neonatal services ensures we’re always ready for your special delivery. This includes the offering of special care nurseries with highly-skilled physicians and nurses.

A special care nursery, or Level II nursery, provides additional help for premature babies who are at least 32-34 weeks gestation and for full-term newborns who have breathing difficulties, jaundice or other medical conditions. Babies cared for in a Level II nursery might require oxygen and may need medication and IV fluids, but their conditions are not life-threatening. Specialists in our Level II nurseries include SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatricians and neonatologists who offer your baby every possible advantage.

For babies with more serious health problems, SSM Health Women’s Health offers two sites with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital are the only NICUs in the St. Louis area with private rooms for all our patients and plenty of room for parents to stay with their babies 24 hours a day. For family members that are not able to stay, our NicView® cameras allow mothers and families the ability to access the 24-hour video stream of their baby through their phone.

Mothers with high-risk pregnancies often deliver at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital because of the specialized care for mothers and babies before and after birth. The NICU at SSM Health St. Mary’s cares for babies who were born after 27 weeks and who don’t require surgery, but may need ventilators to help them breathe. At SSM Health St. Mary’s, newborns with special needs receive advanced, intensive care around the clock, thanks to a team of NICU nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists and SLUCare neonatologists.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital also offers an antepartum unit where expectant moms with high-risk conditions, such as high-blood pressure and diabetes can stay for up to three months to help ensure a safe delivery and healthy outcome. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are available 24 hours a day in this unit, and an obstetrician is always on the labor and delivery floor to respond to any needs.

For even more intensive care, very specialized testing or surgery, your baby may be transferred to the state-of-the-art Dana Brown NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. A dedicated Neonatal Transport Team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to make sure all your baby’s needs are met in the transition. Using the latest technology, the skilled NICU team cares for babies born as early as 23 weeks.

Additionally, the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, one of the nation’s leading fetal care centers, offers a variety of fetal diagnostic procedures, interventions and treatments for various fetal conditions. Using advanced technologies, careful observations and our expertise, we work to help families discover their best options for the most unique pregnancies. Call 314-268-4037 (option 2) or toll free at 1-877-776-3385 to learn more.

Specialized Care for Your Baby

NICU's are given level ratings based on their staff and capacity to care for newborns with critical needs.

Level I NICU provide care for stable premature infants, perform some life-saving procedures and care for more critically ill newborns until they can be transferred to a NICU with a higher-level designation.

Level II NICUs can support many premature infants born at 32 weeks or later, including those with physiological immaturities, as well as newborns who are unable to regulate their body temperature or take oral feedings.

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offer newborns a higher level of care, including newborns with critical illnesses and those born as early as 28 weeks of age.

Level IV NICUs offer experience in the care of the most critically ill newborns, including those requiring surgical repair of complex conditions.

SSM Health offers specialized neonatal care throughout the system, including Level III and IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

For babies who need highly specialized care, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital is home to the Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a Level IV NICU-the highest level designation. Depending on a baby's situation, he or she may be brought by ambulance or even helicopter to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in the care of our Neonatal Transport Team. The Neonatal Transport Team has been bringing babies from around the region to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital for more than 35 years and is comprised of advanced care nurses and respiratory therapists specially trained in the stabilization and transportation of fragile newborns. An attending physician will also accompany the transport team when necessary.

We're also a satellite patient-care site for the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, which provides the region's most comprehensive fetal care-diagnostic tests and procedures before baby is even born.

The SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - Madison Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers state-of-the-art technology as well as comfortable, private rooms for families to bond – creating the perfect environment for our tiniest patients.

Our NICU features:

  • Rooms designed for families with multiples
  • Respite spaces in NICU and our Ronald McDonald Family Room®​ 
  • Faster, more efficient lab testing equipment
  • High-tech Giraffe® Omnibeds
  • Room for up to 38 fragile newborns at a time​

Our neonatologists (doctors who are experts in caring for critically ill newborns) are onsite 24/7. NICU nurses, respiratory therapists and other caregivers support babies' growth and development and also teach families how to care for their newest members.

St. Mary's Hospital also serves as a regional referral center. Hospitals throughout south-central Wisconsin turn to our NICU experts when they need advice about a patient. Newborns are often transferred to St. Mary's Hospital via helicopter or our specially equipped ambulance.​​

The Family Birthplace at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis is the regional hub for maternal services and high-risk obstetrics and is fully equipped with a Level III Neonatal ICU where our smallest patients get a state-of-the-art start.

Our Level III NICU is co-managed and staffed with those who know babies best - SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital nurses and physicians from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Our team of experts can provide respiratory and nutritional support for your baby along with conducting sophisticated diagnostic testing like ultrasonography and echocardiography, if needed. In addition to cutting-edge technology and specialized care, the private family rooms in our NICU let families stay close to their newborn and care for their child, while being supported by our nurses, doctors, social workers and pastoral care staff.

What to Expect from Level III Neonatal Care

We know this is not what you expected after your baby’s birth, but know that your baby will be well cared for in our unit. Here is some helpful information about what to expect in the NICU at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison.

The NICU at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison is a secured unit, with Angel Eye Cameras and locked entry doors. Individuals must be buzzed in and identified at our front desk before they may enter the unit. Parents will be given IDs that should be worn when visiting your baby.
  • A parent must be present with any visitor.
  • Children under the age of 12 that are not siblings are not allowed to visit.
  • Only 4 people are allowed in the baby’s room at a time.
  • There are no specific visiting hours – you are welcome anytime. Although you may be asked to briefly step out of the room if a sterile procedure needs to occur

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital has Angel Eye Cameras to easily view your baby when you are unable to be in the unit. The Angel Eye Cameras were donated to the unit. You may share the password with extended family members so they can also be able to view your baby!

  • If your baby was transported from a different hospital, our Transport Team will talk with you about Angel Eye and have it set up for you.
  • If you are a patient of the hospital, the camera will be set up after you have been discharged from Family Care Suites.

A consent form must be read and filled out by parents prior to the cameras being hooked up.

Good hand washing is the best way to prevent infections. All visitors and family must wash their hands for 20 seconds, and then hand sanitize at the sinks available when first entering the unit. You will also be expected to wash or sanitize your hands every time prior to touching your baby.

  • It is not recommended for sick parents to visit their infant. Please discuss your symptoms with your baby’s nurse or doctor prior to visiting.
  • Visitors may not come into the NICU if they are sick.
  • Family and visitors may not visit if they have been exposed to chicken pox in the last 3 weeks and have not already had chicken pox.
  • Phones and cameras should be cleaned when checking in at the front desk.
  • All of our rooms are private or semi-private
  • If your baby is less than 32 weeks gestation, the lights will be off or on a low setting. At 32 weeks we have lights on during the day and dim at night.
  • Fresh flowers and plants are not allowed in the room.
  • Covered drinks are allowed, but no food. We want your baby’s room to stay clean.
  • The refrigerator in the room is for your baby’s milk or formula only.
  • You may bring small toys or pictures to have in your baby’s room. We ask you not to bring large toys or balloons because they become a physical barrier for us to get to your baby quickly.

Attend rounds and ask questions

Rounds occur daily and are when the providers talk about how your baby is doing and what the plan is over the next 24 hours.

Help with your baby’s care as much as possible

Feeding, bathing, changing diapers and taking temperatures can be done as your baby grows and improves.

Ask about skin-to-skin care (kangaroo care)

This is a great way to bond with your baby. This helps soothe your baby, regulates our baby’s temperature and helps your baby grow. This can also increase the amount of breast milk you produce.

Give your baby breast milk

Breast milk provides many benefits to your baby. We encourage you to pump and provide breast milk. Donor milk may also be an option. If you have any questions or concerns about pumping or donor milk, be sure to talk to your nurse or ask to see a lactation consultant.

  • Eat healthy meals.
    • While you are a patient, you can order meals from “Food for You”. Dial extension 3663 and ask to have your meal delivered to the NICU Family Lounge. There is a menu in the lounge. Once you are discharged, you may receive one food tray each day. Please ask your nurse or the hospital social worker for more information. 
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Take time for yourself.
  • Ask your baby’s nurse or a social worker for other resources for support.

We have four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms available for families who would like to stay the night to be here with your baby. To sign up, please notify the Family Room volunteer, nurse or hospital social worker. It is asked to be signed up by 2 pm. These rooms are available one night at a time. Please have your belongings removed by 9 am the next morning, so rooms may be cleaned. Children are not allowed to stay overnight in the Family Rooms.

Respite and relaxation is also offered in the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. A kitchen, laundry access, computer area and much more are available for all NICU families.

If you have children with you, the Ronald McDonald House in Madison is available through a referral. A shuttle will be able to bring you to and from the Ronald McDonald House and the NICU.

The family room is located near the front desk. This is an area where you can eat, watch TV, play/ work on the computer or allow your other children to play.

  • Books may be taken into your baby’s room to read. Please return when finished.
  • The toys in the play room may not be removed.
  • Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult.
  • The refrigerator in the family room is available for you to store food. All food must be labeled with your name, date and baby’s room number. You can eat in the family room, but please clean up afterwards.

SSM Health features four convenient St. Louis locations for maternity care – each serving the needs of mothers, newborns and their families – with unique offerings based on the level of your needs and the needs of your baby.

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