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The babies start off being one on one and as they get better it can go to more babies. The most a RN would have in a NICU is 4 babies! Can you imagine what its like to have 4 babies due to be fed at the same time hehe!
The most i have ever had on my own in a SCN is 4 and as a professional i would nurse any more than that. It depends on if you are in a state or private hospital as to the guide lines!
Registered User
As I pointed out before I can only go on my own experiences with KEMH in Perth, in which NICU was 1 nurse to two babies (there were a couple of babies that came through which needed more intense care and they were assigned one nurse only - there are always exceptions). The HDU in KEMH had babies on oxygen (or not) they had to be off the ventilator AND/OR CPAP before they were moved from NICU to SCN or HDU (again there were some exceptions to this).
NICU had 2 main parts, the main room and an overflow which was in the back of SCN. SCN had 3 areas, the main room (where they went after NICU) and then an 'almost home' room which also had an overflow. The 'almost home' part of the SCN was 1 nurse to 5-6 babies, we were in a room with about 12-14 babies and there was often only 2 nurses and the co-ordinator. Again this was back in June 2009 and they have done renovations since and I have not been back.
It really is worth sussing out the hospital you are going to, because in my experience from talking to other NICU mums, each and every NICU is different. Even some of the equipment was slightly different.
Registered User
Having worked at KEMH NICU (probably looked after Brendan Sally, I was working there then). You are right, there it is generally 1 nurse to 2 babies unless they are very sick or more intensive forms of ventilatory support other then normal ventilators or CPAP. The place has been so busy the overflows have become normal part of life unfortunately (another disadvantage of being the ONLY NICU in the state apart from the children's hospital which only takes surgical and babies born over 32 weeks in outlying hospitals.) Other parts of the SCN the ration is always 1 nurse to 4 babies. Very very rarely anymore then that.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask as where your bub will go and the treatment and equipment to expect will differ depending on the gestation.
Registered User
hehe probably, he had a lot of different nurses come through, he was a yo-yo baby, went straight to NICU and then back and forth between NICU, SCN and NICU overflow. He spent his last 2ish weeks in Satellite.
I do remember when we were there they got very busy... so the nurses were stretched pretty thin. Most of my memories of nurse ratio came from Satellite, when Brendan was there, they opened it up and he was one of the first babies moved up there (3wks old), (you might remember) there was a huge influx of NICU babies that they even had CPAP babes in the back of SCN (but not in the overflow part) For a couple of days there was 2 babies in one cot space (INSANE!) which is when they opened Satellite. They were literally pushing babies out to other hospitals. I also remember some of the nurses talking about not being able to get hours because the budget was pretty thin or something like that, I spent A LOT of my time in the NICU/SCN after hours (as I stayed in Agnes Walsh) I definitely remember a higher nurse to baby ratio for Tristan's stay though (he was in Satellite from day 3-6) there was 3 nurses + the co-ordinator for about 14 babies.
Basically my memories span only a few weeks of SCN, which obviously isn't the best for knowing all the finer details
BellyBelly Member
I have nothing to add to this thread, but I just wanted to say how much I appreciate it.
It's really helped me, because I know that my bubs will be in Royal Children's for 3-6 weeks when he/she comes.
At least now, I know what to expect and some of the tips has helped, too.
Thanks again!!
--Charlotte.
Registered User
only going off my experience we all know each is different.
But well done on getting so far along, i am guessing you are around 30 weeks now?
Nixon was born at 33+3 weeks.
he weighed 2296g or 5lb 1 oz which is quiet a good weight. They estimated between 1.8kg and 2.2kg so he was a big boy!
He was on hospital for 27 days
NICU for 5 days, SCN the rest.
He was on CPAP within his first hour and ventillated after that until day 5
Our first cuddle was on day 5
He had a few hiccups which required a lumbar puncture, catheter and brain ultrasound.
However when he turned a corner he never looked back and just got stronger and stronger
First bf attempt was at 35weeks, for the first 4-5 days it was more of liking then actually latching on.
Like Sally said having a tour of NICU/SCN was very helpful for us just understand how babys a simialr gestation and size do and to also see your not alone, we were so surprised to see almost 60 bays FULL. (we were at the Mercy Melbourne which was fantastic)
Registered User
thansk everyone for sharing!
kickers- we will be at mercy in melb if she comes before 34 weeks, if after that my private hospy has the level of special care that can take her.
OB appt on monday showed things have settled a lot from a week ago so OB is more hopefuly of getting to 34weeks now. still a week by week thing but things are looking a little bit better in terms of her baking a bit longer.
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