Episode 5: What to Expect in the NICU: First Day, Monitors & Daily Life- NICU Series

NICU Rise SeriesWhat should you expect in the NICU? What actually happens in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? And what does a typical NICU day really look like?If your baby has just been admitted to the NICU — or you’re preparing for a possible NICU stay — this episode walks you through what to expect from the first 24 hours to the daily rhythm of care.As a NICU nurse and a medical mom, I explain:​Why babies are admitted to the NICU​What happens on the first day in the NICU​What the monitors and alarms mean​Who the NICU doctors, nurses, and specialists are​What “rounds” look like​How feeding, oxygen support, and growth are monitored​What progress really looks like in the NICU​And how to find your footing as a parent in a medical environmentThe NICU can feel overwhelming — with wires, equipment, medical terminology, and constant beeping. But understanding what is happening and why can make the experience less frightening and more manageable.This episode is your calm, honest guide to navigating life in the NICU.Topics discussed: NICU admission, what to expect in the NICU, NICU first day, premature babies, NICU monitors and alarms, NICU nurses, NICU doctors, oxygen support, feeding challenges, medical motherhood, NICU parent support, and navigating life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.You are not behind.You are not failing.You are learning a new world.