neonatology
Newborn care in the Department
Newborns in the department are cared for with high-class equipment and an experienced team of specialists with many years of experience in caring for children with low and extremely low weight.
Equipment in the Department
The Department has the necessary equipment for level III competence:
- 8 state-of-the-art respiratory ventilators
- 3 non-invasive ventilators – the so-called nasal NIV
- 1 primary resuscitation machine, used to ventilate children in the delivery room (when intubation is required)
- 15 high-end infant incubators
- 6 resuscitation tables (the so-called thermal plate) – one in the three delivery rooms and the operating theatre for Caesarean sections and two in the Neonatology Department
We have a sufficient number of monitors, transfusion pumps, phototherapy lamps, and a neonatal transport incubator, used to transfer children to another hospital, if emergency surgical treatment is required.
The high-end equipment ensures thermal comfort, precise regulation of the oxygen level and humidity in the infant incubators, without risk to the newborns’ vision. State-of-the-art equipment and care shall be provided for children with low and extremely low birth weight, without compromise in terms of the medication treatment and best clinical practices. Surfactant therapy, respiratory stimulant drugs are administered to premature babies to speed up the healing process.
Examinations and consultations may be carried out in Paediatric consultation room with the paediatricians of Nadezhda, as well as a scheduled or unscheduled visit to a specialized paediatric orthopaedist, neurologist, cardiologist, allergist, gastroenterologist.
Newborn care in the Department
- High-quality primary resuscitation of healthy newborns and newborns at high risk is completed.
- Diagnosis and treatment of a range of diseases is provided – perinatal asphyxia, infectious diseases, pulmonary diseases, foetal and neonatal haemolytic disease, electrolyte disorders, etc.
- Optimal care and monitoring of newborns with low birth weight and extremely low birth weight are provided.
- All newborns undergo genetic screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria, and audiometry.
- The mandatory immunizations for the neonatal period are administered, unless parents have expressed a written request for vaccine refusal.
- Neonatal monitoring is carried out by means of a video surveillance system specially installed within the Department’s premises.
- Physicians provide daily information to parents about the child’s condition, and discuss with parents any questions of interest, provide advice on bringing up the newborn at home.
The intensive care unit in the Neonatology Department of Nadezhda Hospital has all the necessary equipment for optimal care, raising and resuscitation of newborns of low and extremely low birth weight, intrauterine hypotrophy, severe asphyxia, hyaline membrane disease, Rh isoimmunization, metabolic diseases.
If, after your transfer to the postnatal unit, you feel well and you would like to be with your child (if the child’s condition allows that), the baby will be entrusted to your care in your room. The obstetricians at the postnatal unit will support you in your first attempts to breastfeed the baby, and for subsequent breastfeeding. Accommodating the newborn with you in the hospital room is recommended, because it has a beneficial impact on the baby’s mental and physical development. If you need rest, or if you need to be away from the baby for some time, the baby will be cared for by the Neonatology Department team, until you are ready to take the baby with you again.
During the morning physician visit routine (doctor’s examinations or procedures), all newborns are moved to the premises of the Neonatology Department.
After toiletry, examination and carrying out the requisite procedures, the newborns shall return to their mothers’ rooms.
Each afternoon the babies are given a toileting (bathing) session, which you can attend, and where you can receive guidance on how to bathe your child at home.
If you wish to change your baby’s disposable diaper in your room by yourself, you will be given the necessary guidance for this and a set of diapers and hygiene products.
IMPORTANT!
- Do not leave your baby alone on the hospital maternity bed, even if the baby is under your supervision, because this creates a risk of falling!
- When leaving the hospital room, you should not carry the baby in your arms! Put the baby in the baby’s bed and move him/her around the hospital corridors in the baby’s bed. The first days after birth expose new mothers to risks of staggering, dizziness or tripping, which would put the newborn at risk.
You don’t need anything to tend your baby in hospital – they use sterile baby clothes from the hospital, disposable diapers and hygiene products, bottles, and feeders.
The attention of our team is constantly engaged with the newborns. They are provided with continuous 24-HOUR CARE as well as round-the-clock monitoring through the cameras installed in the rooms.
Each day, the attending physicians shall provide you with information about your baby’s condition and advice on raising them at home.
Examinations, vaccines and antibiotics
No examinations other than screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria, and hearing testing shall be administered to healthy newborns.
Depending on the child’s condition, additional examinations may be performed.
When necessary, a specialist consultation shall be provided for the babies: paediatric ophthalmologist, paediatric cardiologist, paediatric surgeon.
In some cases, the following tests may also be administered:
- haematological (blood count, C-reactive protein test, serology, blood group if necessary, bilirubin test, gas analysis, haemoculture, etc.);
- Urine test;
- ultrasound examinations – abdominal ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, transfontanellar ultrasound, etc.;
- microbiological tests – ear, eye secretion, etc.
Any additional examinations and tests are performed under strict indications, according to the medical standard of Neonatology.
Immunizations of newborns are carried out according to the state immunization calendar and the condition of the child. If you wish to refuse immunisations, you may fill in the appropriate waiver form (available at the Postnatal Clinic).
In case of evidence of infection (congenital or acquired during birth and subsequently), newborns shall be treated with an antibiotic appropriate for the causative organism. The treatment shall be administered after being informed by the attending neonatologist.
Documents necessary to prepare a birth notice
After the birth, on a weekday between 9:00 and 10:00, you will have a visit in your room by a civil registry officer, who shall draft a birth notice. You should submit to the official the documents evidencing your marital status:
A marriage certificate (photocopy is also admissible) and a photocopy of your spouse’s identity card.
A notarized declaration of acknowledgement from the father in original. In case of twins, two declarations shall be required, one for each child.
the number and date of the divorce court decision. A total of 360 days should have passed after the court’s decision for the child to be recognized by the biological father.
Тhe year the husband’s death certificate was issued
ID card of the mother.
Civil registry officer: Ms Ekaterina Savovska
Contact telephone number: +359887600481, Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Discharge summary of the newborn
The newborn’s discharge summary is prepared and issued by the physicians at the Neonatology Department. It details the tests, treatments and immunizations administered.
You will receive it on the day of discharge at the Obstetric Consulting/Medical Secretary room on the respective floor, after presenting your ID.