Is my child at risk for diabetes?       What should I know about pregnancy after age 35?

Betty K. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital Has the Answers

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They're moments you've looked forward to since first learning you were pregnant: Cradling your newborn for the first time; helping them go from crawl to walk; and watching as they grow, develop and thrive from childhood into adolescence.

Sometimes, however, those moments need a little help coming into being - the medical challenges facing a child born premature or critically ill, for example, can be complex and overwhelming. For infants and children with special or unique medical needs, including traumatic injuries or surgical diagnosis, the challenges can be equally as daunting.

Where to go for expert neonatal and pediatric care? For residents of southeastern North Carolina and beyond, that place is the Betty H. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital on the campus of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, home to a 45-bed, all-private room technically advanced Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, and the region's only Pediatric Unit that includes a six-bed, expertly staffed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, or PICU.

Our highly trained neonatal and pediatric intensive care physicians, nurses and staff are committed to providing your infant, child or adolescent with the best medical treatment possible - all in a technically advanced, family-centered facility that has received national recognition for patient satisfaction.

On April 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Fitness & Wellness Center at Brunswick Forest, physician experts will be available to answer your questions on a wide range of neonatal and pediatric care topics.

Your chance to get your questions answered is now - reserve a space today by visiting www.nhrmc.org/liveandlearn or by calling Vitaline at 910.815.5188

Highly-specialized NHRMC physicians, nurses and staff gather around Elizabeth and Jon McLamb, and their triplets. Born July 14, 2010, eight weeks premature, triplets Austin, Lee, and Currin received life-saving neonatal care at the Betty H. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital, home to the state's only all-private-room neonatal intensive care unit and the region's only pediatric intensive care unit.

Q.  What is a NICU?

A.  Short for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a NICU is a highly specialized hospital unit for children born premature (less than 37 weeks) or critically ill. Babies are usually, though not always, admitted to the NICU directly after birth to receive life-saving treatments and therapies.

Q.  Will I get to see my baby in the NICU?

A. Yes. In fact, the Betty H. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital encourages patients' families to become an integral part of the care team. Your baby will receive care in a private room where you are welcome to stay 24 hours a day. For your comfort, every NICU room is furnished with a pull-out sofa and a rocker recliner. If your baby is medically stable, we encourage holding and skin-to-skin contact as much as possible, as both are crucial in their healing and development.

Q.  Who will care for my premature or critically ill baby?

A.  The Betty H. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital is home to an expert staff of nationally-recognized neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, registered nurses and respiratory therapists. They will

treat your infant using medicine's most up-to-date research and equipment. As a partner in care, you are encouraged to discuss your baby's care with our medical and nursing team. It is important for you to always be fully informed and understand the care your baby is receiving.

Q.  Can I breastfeed my baby in the NICU?

A.  Yes. Breastfeeding or providing breast milk for your baby provides wonderful benefits. Your baby may not be ready to breast feed initially and may receive breast milk through a feeding tube. Our registered nurses and lactation, or breastfeeding, specialists will assist you in pumping and storing your milk within a few hours of your baby's birth. When your baby is ready to nurse, generally at 32-34 weeks of age, our registered nurses and lactation specialists will assist you to initiate breastfeeding.

Q.  What is a PICU?

A. Short for Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a PICU is a highly specialized hospital unit that cares for critically ill infants, children, and teenagers. A PICU is staffed by doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nures and respiratory therapists specially trained and experienced in pediatric intensive care.

Q.  Can I stay with my child in the PICU?

A.  Yes. PICU physicians and staff encourage parents to be a part of the care team. If at any time a parent is unable to be present with or accompany their child during a procedure or test, the medical team will provide explanations and devise a supportive plan for parental inclusion. For comfort and to help families achieve normalcy while away from home, the PICU is equipped with generous family space, including all-private rooms with sleep sofas, a family kitchen, living room, and washer and dryer.

Q.  What impact will hospitalization have on my child emotionally?

A.  Hospitalization of any kind is stressful, especially for children. That's why pediatric staff at the Betty H. Cameron Women's & Children's Hospital are trained to use play and other forms of communication to reduce the day-to-day stress and anxiety that comes with being hospitalized. In addition, a child life specialist - an individual specially trained to help children and their families cope with hospitalization - uses their knowledge of child development to educate, prepare and support children through difficult medical tests and procedures.