What questions should I ask NICU doctors?

I'm in the hospital and should be meeting with a NICU doctor in the next day or two. My water broke Friday at exactly 26 weeks...

So far I'm going to ask them about buying a carseat(specifically Graco Snugride 30). I was going to buy it anyway before this happened but I learned it starts at 4lb so that's a HUGE bonus.
I'm also going to ask about visitors like my family and my son.
Breastfeeding/ pumping
And how soon will I be able to see him and hold him after birth.

What else should I ask? My first son came 10 days overdue and this birth was supposed to be an at home water birth and I can't even wrap my head around possibly having a csection or delivering a 2lb baby  

When my son was in the NICU the nurses were so helpful! They were always there answering my questions, giving advice, etc. So, I'm sure if you forget something, you'll be able to get those questions answered. Plus, we met with the NICU doctor once daily.

If you can stay in the room with him or if they have parenting rooms for you to stay in. They had rules about that here.  

What precautions they have for RSV and flu season.
Kangaroo care!

Best and worst case scenarios, medications your child may need to thrive ie. Caffine, iv fluids, insulin and such. Visitors are usually mom, dad, and grandparents but each hospital is different. I can ask my friend who had triplets at 30weeks about her questions for nicu drs

I have no answers for you, I just wanted to wish you luck for a healthy baby boy.

Maybe ask them about the living situations. Should you be expected to have some there all time if your are discharged first?

<blockquote><b>Quoting HopingforaMiracle:</b>" What precautions they have for RSV and flu season. Kangaroo care!"</blockquote>



What is kangaroo care?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting HopingforaMiracle:</b>" What precautions they have for RSV and flu season. Kangaroo care!"</blockquote> What is kangaroo care?"</blockquote>




Where you have skin to skin contact.

I want to answer this but I'm on my phone right now, once I get home I will go in more detail

Here's a small list if questions . Ask about the sickness policy (our NICU would not let anyone in who had been sick in the past 24 hours).2. What is the visitor policy for both parents and their guests.3. If you are planning on breastfeeding find out about pumping.  Will you be able to pump bedside or is there a room.  Also find out if there are lactation consultanats available for you, they were lifesavers for me.4. Ask about meals, our NICU provided the parents with one free meal a day.  IF there are private rooms ask about having snacks and drinks in the room.  Nursing moms were allowed water in a covered cup before the new NICU opened.  Once we were in private rooms we were allowed to have covered drinks over in a corner but no food.5. Ask what the goals are for discharge.  My LO had to take all feedings by mouth, maintain his temp, and pass his carseat test.  There was no limit on weight or age.6. Find out if the NICU will share information with other people than the parents.  Our NICU allowed us two support people who were given a pin to use when they called for updates, they were also the only people who could come and visit without being escorted by a parent.  We had our moms as our support people.7. Can they wear clothes you bring in or would they prefer you use hospital clothes.8. What is the criteria for being able to kangaroo.9. Is there a social worker available to help you with getting SSI, home equipment, etc...10. Are there any support groups or parent meetings that happen.  We had a lactation group that met to help support each other.  There were also occasional meetings for new parents to get orientated to the NICU.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Buzz and Almond Joys momm:</b>" Maybe ask them about the living situations. Should you be expected to have some there all time if your are discharged first?"</blockquote>



Yes if I have him now I'll be discharged in 1-5 days and he will be stuck here for months  
I'm pretty sure they don't have rooms here for parents to stay in but DH and I are supposed to be moving in the next few weeks so I'm looking for apartments 5-10 minutes away

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" Here's a small list if questions . Ask about the sickness policy (our NICU would not let anyone in who ... [snip!] ... group that met to help support each other.  There were also occasional meetings for new parents to get orientated to the NICU."</blockquote>


Thank you so much!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mrs.DamonSalvatore:</b>" Here's a small list if questions . ... [snip!] ... There were also occasional meetings for new parents to get orientated to the NICU."</blockquote> Thank you so much!"</blockquote>



Do you have a care plan for your little guy yet? i can find it what hers was if that we help, it was designed for triplets tho

<blockquote><b>Quoting Will☮Creedence:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting Buzz and Almond Joys momm:</b>" Maybe ask them about the living ... [snip!] ... parents to stay in but DH and I are supposed to be moving in the next few weeks so I'm looking for apartments 5-10 minutes away"</blockquote>




In that case I would definently ask all the questions listed above and maybe ask about visiting ediquit (sp?)