Knee Deep In Diapers

"A" and I took a tour of the NICU today. I called the nurse manager and she suggested a tour, just so we would know what to expect. "A"s neice had twin girls two years ago and they were born at 28 weeks, just where we are now. They were in this very NICU for two months and weighed just over 2lbs each. Their little fingers would fit in the area covered by your thumbnail. The tour was a good idea. We had taken a tour of the hospital itself, as all expecting parents do, a couple of weeks ago. It was helpful to see the secure areas and get an idea for the routine before hand. Of course our delivery would be anything but routine.

We went to the security desk and asked to see the Nurse Manager. We were then taken through the NICU, stopping first at the washing station. Here were two sinks and a timer that counted back from 2:00 minutes, the time you were required to wash your hands. Beyond this point there were two sections, each one divided into what looked like tiny little rooms with bright colored drapping materials providing the tiny infants with what will serve as their first room outside the womb. There were little signs with each baby's name and parents on them, which reminded me of a child's classroom. There was a constant stream of subtle noises from machines running O2 and monitors that kept heartbeats, oxygen levels, etc. We were told to expect a roller coaster ride. Our babies would probably have good days and bad. Girls usually do better. This wasn't the first time we had heard such. I remember noticing a few babies whose birth weight was just over a pound. We were past this stage thankfully. Both "A" and I felt that this was a good think for parents who know to expect time in the NICU. I suspect our heads are a bit more clear to take in the environment objectively and we now know a bit more to expect. We commented on how difficult it would be to unexpectedly have your baby end up in the NICU after delivery. We at least had the opportunity to prepare. Hopefully it won't be a long stay.