Every parent waiting for his or her baby's arrival has ideas of what that baby will be like. Everyone pictures little pink cheeks, soft curly hair and a healthy baby. However, when your baby has a special life beginning and is premature or ill, a special environment is needed where individualized care and close monitoring can occur. At St. Clair Hospital that place is our Special Care Nursery.

The Special Care Nursery is specifically designed and equipped to accommodate your baby's needs. A team of specially trained medical personnel is available to participate in your baby's care. Our Special Care Nursery is staffed by highly trained nurses, who, as part of the caregiving team, provide the care your baby needs. Your baby will receive personalized care and individualized, nurturing attention. Your baby also will be monitored by the 24 hour in-house pediatrician as well as by your private pediatrician, who is an integral part of the team and will participate in decsion making. Because your baby requires extra care, the Special Care Nursery has visitation, infection prevention and control, and privacy rules. Please speak with your baby's nurse about these precautions.

If you are discharged before your baby is, you may call anytime, day or night, to talk with someone about your baby. In addition, just before you are ready to go home, you may take advantage of a special service called "Nesting." Nesting allows the baby's parents to spend a night in the hospital with the baby and helps provide a transition from the special care nursery to the best place for your baby - home.