Clifford Bridge Road

CV2 2DX

When you come in, please leave your coat and any personal belongings and bags in lockers provided. Please then wash your hands for at least 15-20 seconds with warm water and soap.

We also ask that to protect your baby from infections that you wash your hands before touching your baby, and after you have been on your mobile phone or performing nappy cares.

If your hands look clean and there is no soap and water available, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. However the smell can be quite strong for babies so please allow it to fully dry before touching your baby.

We also encourage all staff and visitors to be "bare below the elbows."

Selling newspapers, books, snacks, meal deals and personal care items.

Offering a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, including Costa Coffee.

Opening times: Monday-Friday 8am-3pm.

Opening times: 7am-6pm

Opening times: Monday-Friday 8:30am-2am, Saturday-Sunday 10:30am-2am.

7-8 minute drive

5-6 minute drive

Crosspoint Business Park

CV2 2SZ

2.1 miles

10 minute drive

Walsgrave Triangle

CV2 2ST

2.0 miles

10 minute drive

CV2 2HP

2.0 miles

10 minute drive

- Enter your car registration into the tablet available on the unit (please note this will need to be done everyday). You can find these in HDU4 and SCBU2 or speak to a member of staff

- You can leave the hospital site and return later, as long as your total stay is longer than six hours in a 24 hour period.

Our neonatal unit in Coventry is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Level 3 medical unit.

This means we can provide all levels of medical care for babies - intensive care, high dependency and special care.

Home oxygen

Home phototherapy

Nasogastric tube feedings.

The NCOT will conduct routine assessments and visits to the home environment for infants and their families after they have been discharged. This may involve the monitoring of weight, the assistance with the transition from tube feeding to oral nutrition, the weaning of home oxygen, and the collection of blood samples for home phototherapy. The team also provides families with education and support to help them care for their baby's specific requirements at home. Furthermore, NCOT works in conjunction with other healthcare professionals to guarantee that the baby's care is comprehensive and well-coordinated.

This poster explains what hand hugs are, how to do them and why they are important to your baby's development.

Neonatal Unit Reception

02476 966 673

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

02476 966 668

Neonatal High Dependency Unit (HDU 4)

02476 966 670

Neonatal High Dependency Unit (HDU 5)

02476 966 671

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU 1)

02476 966 671

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU 2)/ Transitional Care

02476 967 316.

Secretary Office (09:00-17:00):

02476966686

02476966682

NCOT (09:00-17:00)

02476966783

02476967584

1. Lie your baby on their back.

2. Keep their cot clear.

3. Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.

4. Keep baby smoke-free.

5. Avoid your baby getting too hot.

6. Sleep your baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months.

If English is not your first language, please ask if this information can be translated for you.

Every morning 9.45am

Developmental care ward round

Monday mornings and Thursday 11-12:30

Nutrition round

Thursday afternoons

Connect with other neonatal families and keep up to date on the latest information.

Additionally, the sling library provides consultations for tailored guidance on posture and babywearing. Parents may feel more at ease and confident when wearing their babies in a sling.

NHS Talking therapies can provide support for mums and dads after go home from the neonatal unit.

Trained Perinatal therapists can support with mild to moderate difficulties around your neonatal experience, birth trauma, helping with bonding and many more.

Here are some common reasons:

• Need specialist care or surgery.
  

• If your baby’s health is improving and they no longer need higher levels of care. At this stage they might be moved closer to home
  

• For an appointment with a specialist doctor

• Tesco

• Argos

• Next

• Asda

• Marks and Spencer

• Sainsbury's

• John Lewis

• Super Dinky

They come in three sizes for babies weighing less than 500g up to 1800g.

P3 <500g

P2 <1000g

P1 <1800g

SO <3000g

ASDA and Tesco both often Pampers premature nappies free from their pharmacies.

Micro Preemie: up to 4lbs

Preemie: up to 6lbs

If you haven’t been yet, why not visit and take a break in this quiet, peaceful place?

You might see some rare birds and butterflies near the apple trees, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot an otter in the river!

The West Midlands Perinatal Network are looking for families to join them by sharing your story, ideas and feedback to improve the experience for other families.

Stirring, mouth opening, turning head, seeking/rooting

2. Mid Cues "I'm really hungry":

Stretching, increasing movement, hand to mouth

3. Late Cues "Calm me, then feed me"

Crying, lots of movement, colour turning red

Calm a crying baby before feeding - cuddling, skin-to-skin, talking. Look for early feeding cues.

When Alina was just 3 years old, her sister, Anela, was born 15 weeks early at 24 weeks and 6 days gestation. This is Alina's story of her experience during this time.

These are ultrasound scans, like the ones you had during your pregnancy. They look at the structure of your child's brain.

In particular, we often look for signs of intraventricular haemorrhage (sometimes shorted to IVH). These are bleeds in a baby's brain. IVHs are more common in babies born early, especially in the first few days of life, but they can also happen in full-term babies who have problems after birth.

These scans do not hurt but the gel can feel a little cold. You are welcome to comfort your baby during their scans.

We will talk to you about what we see on your baby's scans, and explain what this means for your baby.

With the mix of specialist knowledge and advice by the different members of the team, we pride ourselves on giving your baby the best care possible.

Your Voice Matters.

MNVP Feedback Survey 2024

Please press the doorbell and a member of staff will release the door. Please be patient at busy times, we will open the door as quickly as possible.

You may be asked who you are and why you are visiting. This is so that we are aware who is visiting at all times so we can keep the babies on the unit safe.

Please note: The Trust is not responsible for loss of valuables and personal belongings that you may bring onto our site. There are lockers available for you to use, please bring a lock and key.

We ask you kindly not to ask staff about or touch other babies in the unit.

For your own privacy please ask a member of staff to provide you with a screen. We have a separate expressing room you may use if you dont wish to express beside your babys cot/incubator.

Private conversations can be held away from your babys space and in a private room. Never be afraid to ask.

Fire alarms are checked weekly and all staff receive training.

During your stay on the Neonatal Unit, you may be approached by one of our Research Nurses to consider including your baby in one or more of these research studies. Your participation will directly help to answer important questions that will help inform doctors and nurses how to best care premature or sick babies.

You are free to choose not to take part.

In this case, please know it will have no impact on the care you and your baby receive.

We would like you to tell us what you think about our services. This helps us make improvements.

https://online.iwantgreatcare.org/s/voijxb

https://research.mededcoventry.org/Patients-and-Public

Or join their other groups with other mums and children. Stay & Play. Free to attend. No booking required. Currently held in Warwick. But groups will be starting in Bedworth, Nuneaton, Rugny and Coventry.

Have a look on their Facebook site.

Please skip to 1:10 for LRI

The accuracy of the information provided in external resources is not monitored by UHCW team but you may find it useful and easy to understand (e.g. from BLISS and other networks).

The staff on the unit can explain if there is any information you don't understand or need more details about. If you have any concerns regarding the information, please contact neonatal unit staff.

This represents a baby that was part of a multiple pregnancy but sadly not all the babies survived and parents have chosen that they wish to make others aware.

If you have any problems accessing healthcare or have questions call Doctors of The World UK advice line on 0808 164 7686

Fortifier is a powder that is added to your breast milk to increase the calorie, protein and vitamin content of the milk.

The fortifier may be continued beyond discharge in 4-6 feeds per day until your baby is up to 8 weeks past their due date, depending on their growth. 

The infant feeding team will support you during your time on the ward and once you’re home with making decisions around feeding and when to stop the fortifier.

If you have any questions or need support, please speak with a member of staff. We are here to help.

There is a lot of information, and not all of it will apply to your baby. Some of the topics may feel too much for right now. You can come back to them later if you want.

Go at your own pace and read them if and when you feel ready.

Please ask us if there is anything you are unsure about or would like more information.

Please see this leaflet for further details, and ask if you have any further questions

They have all had personal experience of premature or sick babies and can relate to your experience.

Casey was born at 24+1 weeks in a very poor condition and required intubation and CPR. He weighed 640g and was ventilated for first 32 days of his life. He was successfully extubated onto CPAP, then high flow until he was able to tolerate low flow nasal prong oxygen.

He had a wide range of complications during his 107 day neonatal stay including Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema, PDA, Anaemia, Hypotension, Jaundice along with suspected NEC and Sepsis.  He received 7 blood transfusions and also had laser eye surgery for Stage 3 ROP.

Casey was discharged home one week before his due date with Oxygen. He was eventually weaned from Oxygen completed around 4 months after discharge.

He is now 9 years old and at Year 4 in school. He is a very happy, energetic boy who loves playing football, going to theme parks and spending time with his family and friends.

We will be forever grateful to the NICU…they saved Casey’s life.

She has been so strong all the way through and is now a healthy 10-month-old. 

Jude was intubated for 15 days, CPAP for 11 days, High flow for 28 days and then low flow for 86 days. Jude came home on home oxygen at 36+3 and was taken off at 5 weeks corrected. He required 5 blood transfusions and 2 courses of steroids. 

Jude was 1lb 12oz when he was born and now at 6 weeks corrected, he weighs 10lb 12oz, he is doing so well. He is thriving in every way possible, and it is completely down to the staff in NICU, we couldn't have gotten through it without them. 

I stayed at UHCW NICU for 52 days.

She was put under the light for 2 days then moved up to NICU she was doing ok after 3 weeks except she kept putting weight on then losing it very quickly so they said she couldn't go home until she made it to 5 lb then around 6 weeks old she finally made it to 5 lb but they told me she had to stay another week to make sure she don't start losing it again luckily she didn't lose it and at 6 weeks I was allowed to go home 

Lucy has turned into superhero she is doing very good at school and completed swimming levels and is a black belt in martial arts.

💜💜💜

Hear sounds

Listen and respond to voices and sounds

Move and turn to voices

All of the above helps to build the foundations to support speech and language development

If your baby was born early, their development continues on the neonatal unit with you

Your baby will use their face and body to tell you how they are feeling

You can learn all about your baby's cue to find out what they like and don't like

All you have to do is OWL (Observe, Watch, Listen). When you respond, it lets your baby know that you understand them

You can learn more about your baby's development by asking your neonatal team, allied health professionals and community healthcare professionals

We have created a NICU Amazon Wishlist with items that help support babies and their families on the unit. These are things we use everyday to make the environment more comfortable and supportive during your stay.

If you would like to contribute, we would be incredibly grateful for any donations-big or small.

Thank you for your support.

Other family and friends may visit the unit at any time; but a parent must still be present. Our safety guideline limits two people per cot side at all times.

We ask that you or other visitor do not come to the unit if you are feeling unwell. In particular, do not come to the unit:

• If you have a cough, sneezing, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms.

• If you or your other children have chickenpox

Please speak to a member off staff before returning to the unit to ensure you are following correct procedures.

Note that policies on visiting may sometimes change based on circumstances. Staff will always notify you of policy changes. Please know that any changes are made to protect our patients, families, and staff.

Our coffee mornings are a friendly, relaxed space for neonatal families to meet up and have a tea or coffee, and some biscuits. Many of our families have been coming since their babies were on the unit, who are now grown toddlers and older.

They are held every other month in our Faith Centre on the ground floor. This is a short trip down the stairs from the neonatal unit. It is a lovely open space with access to the

Please note: Coffee mornings are not religious. Please let us know if you would like religious or spiritual support.

Please join us for our stay and play sessions

This month's theme is "People who help us"

Next meeting: Wednesday 10th June

9.30am-12:30pm

The Moat Family Hub

Coventry

CV2 1EQ

-Meet our therapy dogs

-West Midlands Fire Service will be bringing their fire engine

-Free gift for Dad to celebrate Father's Day

We have reclining chairs on the Neonatal Unit (Level 1) and fold-out camp beds on SCBU Special Care Baby Unit (Level 2).

We also have two overnight rooms on the Neonatal Unit. For more information please see the "Facilities" section.

This group is a calm, supportive space which offers:

• A chance to print a photo of your baby

• Creative scrapbook activities

• Support for bonding, confidence and wellbeing

• Time to reflect on the week and set goals for the future

• Space to meet to meet other parents

All parents welcome, whether you stay five minutes or an hour. All materials are provided - just bring yourself.

This was often from paying for daily travel to and from the neonatal unit, the high cost of food and drink available at hospitals, and paying for childcare for other children.

Parents also said that on average they lost up to £3000 in income during their baby’s stay.

Our TC rooms are located on the Special Care Baby Unit. You can stay with your baby in the days before you get ready to go home. This is to help create a "bridge" between being on the unit and being at home.

Here you can will care for your baby as if you were at home - feeding, changing, and comforting them, but still with the support of the neonatal team.

We have two private Transitional Care rooms with en-suite toilet and shower. Partners are welcome to stay on our fold-out camp beds. Parents in Transitional Care can have breakfast; lunch and dinner provided by the hospital during their stay, should they wish.

If both these rooms are in use, parents can also sleep on a camp bed to stay next to their baby’s bed space in the Special Care bay.

Your baby can then have the drops of colostrum in the side of their mouth. Every drop you can give us will help to protect your baby from infections, and help their brain, eyes, heart, brain and gut (tummy) to grow.

Aim for 8-10 expressions per 24 hours, including once overnight. This means roughly every 2-3 hours.

However we also have an expressing room available with comfortable seating. This private room is located in the Family Area next to the Reception desk on the Neonatal Unit.

We can only store 1 basket of breast milk for each baby so please take excess home to store safely in your freezer. Remember to check the freezer for milk before you are discharged home too.

This is an area where parents, their family and friends can spend some time relaxing on the comfortable seating, read a magazine or watch TV.

There are lockers where parents can store their valuables if they wish, and there is a kitchen joined where you can access tea/coffee, a fridge and microwave should you wish to bring in your own food.

The family area also has toys and books for siblings to play with. Please note children must not be left unattended in this area.

On the Special Care Baby Unit located on the 2^nd Floor, there is another family area where parents and visitors can spend time and relax.

There are also some toys and books for siblings to play with, and a portable DVD player with a selection of DVDs. 

Please do not leave children unattended in this area.

We have several spaces within the unit that team members can take you to for private and confidential conversations.

Though we understand all parents would like to stay, we give priority for these bedrooms to parents of babies who are very sick, or who live a long way from the hospital.

We also cannot promise that you can stay in a room long-term. We will talk to you about this as early as we can if we need you to leave the room.

You will still be welcome to sleep beside your baby if you wish.

For more information about Transitional Care (TC) rooms on Level 2 SCBU, please see the "Getting ready to go home" section

Please also feel free to help yourself to breakfast.

It can be hard for children to understand what is happening, and they may feel sad, scared, or angry, though these may be hard for them to express.

These feelings may show up as changes in behaviour. Try to be patient with your child (and yourself!) during this difficult time.

(Taken from UHW Neonatal Psychology)