The birth of a child is one of the most exciting times of parents’ lives. While most parents do everything they can to ensure their child is born healthy, problems sometimes arise that require a newborn to remain hospitalized longer than expected. That’s where the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital comes in.

The NICU is the area of the hospital where sick babies, especially those who are premature, receive specialized treatment for infections, birth defects, breathing difficulties, growth restriction, and maternal health problems. In addition to premature and low-birth-weight babies, sicker full-term babies in the NICU can be treated for a variety of conditions, including anemia, jaundice, seizures, low blood sugar, brain bleeds, heart problems, or breathing difficulties. Respiratory difficulties are common in the smallest of infants. Once an infant enters a NICU, he or she will receive care tailored to their specific needs. Equipment used in NICUs, such as incubators and ventilators, are made especially for premature infants and their special needs.

Advanced Facility, Specialized Care

Our NICU is equipped to handle difficult neonatal emergencies and is staffed with highly skilled health care professionals trained to care for the specific needs of neonatal patients. As a Level III facility, the neonatologists on the medical staff and the nursing staff are prepared to care for some of the sickest, tiniest of babies. Infants often will have multiple doctors assisting with their medical care, and specialists—such as neurologists, cardiologists, and surgeons—are available to consult as the need arises.

Our NICU features 23 special care (Level III) nursery beds which are CCS Certified. The unit is a controlled access department designed to ensure the safety and privacy of newborn patients and their families.