Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned. When this happens, it is important to know your baby will be in the best possible hands. If your baby requires immediate specialized emergency care, a neonatal team is available 24 hours a day, every day -- within seconds of any delivery room at UCSD Medical Center.
The UCSD Infant Special Care Center, also known as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), is a highly specialized, nationally recognized center of excellence providing the highest level of care available for newborns. Experienced nurses, respiratory therapists, neonatal nurse practitioners and other support personnel work with neonatologists.
As of April 2, 2008, nine licensed beds have been added to the existing 40-bed unit to increase the number of infants who can receive Level III neonatal intensive care from 780 newborns per year to more than 900. The $2.6 million dollar project is the first of a series of initiatives to expand and improve women’s and infant’s services at UC San Diego Medical Center.
(Above: Twins share a bed in the NICU)
UCSD is the only medical center in San Diego to have both a Regional NICU and a labor and delivery service in the same facility. This means that if your baby needs special care, he or she need not be transported to another hospital. This can be reassuring if you are experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, or if you simply want the added peace of mind of knowing the most advanced care is available should your baby need it.
Additionally, we offer specialized lactation support through our highly experienced lactation consultants.