Premature babies are given specialized care from the moment they’re born. They will typically spend their first days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for monitoring and testing—just to make sure they are strong enough to go home. However, after this hurdle, most go on to grow and thrive. If you’re worried about your little one, the guide below explains the kinds of exams your doctor is likely performing to make sure that they are as healthy as possible.

What Tests Will My Baby Need?

Your baby’s heart rate and breathing will be perpetually monitored, and a nurse will take frequent blood pressure readings. An echocardiogram will probably be ordered to test for heart function, and an ultrasound will check for bleeding or fluid around the brain and in the chest and abdomen. Your baby may also have blood tests to check for infection or anemia and the presence of calcium and glucose. 

Nutrition, whether it’s through a bottle, breastfeeding, or an IV, is vital for premature babies. Your infant’s fluids will be carefully monitored—what goes in as well as what comes out in the baby’s diapers—to ensure the baby is getting and processing enough nutrition.

What Other Specialized Care Will My Baby Get?

In the NICU, your baby will probably be placed in an incubator to stay warm, with opportunities for parent-infant skin-to-skin contact, too. If your baby can’t be breast or bottle fed, they will have an IV feeding tube until they’re able to eat. 

In rare cases, medications and surgical interventions may also be needed before a premature baby is ready to go home. Your baby’s team of doctors and surgeons will talk with you about these specialized care options and possible complications so you understand each step of the process as they help your baby get strong enough to leave the hospital.

Your baby is in good hands at Santiam Hospital in Stayton, OR. Not only do they have a state-of-the-art family birth center, but their knowledgable and compassionate team will take every precaution necessary and offer as much specialized care as possible to ensure your little one becomes or stays strong. Call (503) 769-2175 with any questions about your upcoming labor or learn more about their medical staff online.