Free NICU Awareness Handout for Antenatal Education

I used to think that special care was just for premature babies - but the majority of babies who receive neonatal care are actually born full term. 60% of babies in NICU are full term (after 37 weeks) and may need support due to infection, issues with breathing, feeding, jaundice or lack of oxygen to the brain.

Around 1 in 7 babies born in the UK are admitted to a neonatal unit. Having an awareness of what to expect and how to feel empowered would help parents cope and lessen their trauma if baby does need medical care, so I am urging antenatal teachers to include special care in their conversations with birthing families - as 1 in 7 of those babies will need it.

Read more in my article for the AIMS journal: What I wish I'd Known about NICU

"I would have found it so helpful to have had something to give me an insight of NICU life, what I was about to experience, how I could have prepared myself even just a little. I whole heartedly support the need for more information being given around NICU for those who know and those who won’t know that they may require a stay.” - Hannah Johnson, NICU mum