Neonatal Care
Expert care for all your newborn's needs.
Every baby deserves the healthiest possible start. When a newborn needs specialized medical support, neonatal care provides the expertise and treatment needed during the earliest days of life.
Some babies arrive earlier than expected. Others may need extra support because of a medical condition or complication before, during, or after birth. No matter the reason, SSM Health's neonatal specialists are here to provide compassionate, expert care for your baby while supporting your family through every step of the journey.
From advanced treatments and close monitoring to family education and emotional support, neonatal care is designed to help babies grow stronger and give parents confidence during an unexpected or challenging time.
What is neonatal care?
Neonatal care focuses on the unique medical needs of newborn infants, especially those who require extra attention after birth. Often called a NICU, neonatal care units provide specialized treatment and monitoring for babies who need additional medical support in the first days, weeks, or months of life.
Neonatal care teams include neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and other pediatric specialists who work together to provide personalized care for every baby.
What is a neonatologist?
A neonatologist is a pediatric physician with advanced training in caring for newborns who need specialized medical attention. Neonatologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting newborn infants, particularly those born prematurely or with complex medical needs.
When might neonatal care be needed?
Some babies need neonatal care because they are born before their due date. Others may require additional support due to complications during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after birth.
Neonatal care may be recommended for babies who:
- Are born prematurely
- Have a low birth weight
- Need help with breathing or feeding
- Require monitoring for infections or other medical conditions
- Have congenital or developmental concerns identified before or after birth
- Need specialized treatment or recovery following a medical procedure
Every baby's journey is different. The goal of neonatal care is to provide the right level of support at the right time, helping babies achieve the best possible outcomes.
How do I know if my baby will need neonatal care?
Expectant parents experiencing high-risk pregnancy may meet with a neonatologist before delivery to better understand their baby's potential care needs. A neonatal consultation may also be recommended if a baby is expected to arrive early, has been diagnosed with a medical condition before birth, or may need additional support after delivery.
Understanding NICU levels:
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, provides specialized care for newborns who need medical attention after birth. NICUs are organized into four levels, with each level offering increasingly advanced care based on a baby's medical needs
Level I: Well Newborn Care
Level I nurseries care for healthy, full-term infants and can evaluate, stabilize, and care for newborns before transferring to a higher level of care if needed.
Level II: Special Care Nursery
Level II nurseries provide care for babies born at or after 32 weeks of pregnancy or infants with moderate medical concerns. These babies may need additional monitoring, feeding support, or treatment for conditions such as jaundice or mild breathing difficulties.
Which SSM Health hosptials have a Level II NICU/Special Care Nursery?
- SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City
- SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis
- SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis
- SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton
Level III: Neonatal Intensive Care
Level III NICUs care for babies born very prematurely or with more complex medical needs. These units provide advanced respiratory support, specialized treatments, and access to pediatric specialists with expertise in caring for critically ill newborns.
Which SSM Health hosptials have a Level III NICU?
Level IV: Regional Neonatal Intensive Care
Level IV NICUs provide the highest level of neonatal care available. These units care for newborns with the most serious or complex medical conditions and offer access to highly specialized pediatric experts, advanced technology, and complex surgical services.
Which SSM Health hosptial has a Level IV NICU?
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - Lake Saint Louis
SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City