In order for a baby to go home from the ICN (NICU), he or she should be able to be cared for at home with a minimum of risk. For many babies, this means that they are as well as if they had never had any difficulties. For others, there may be minor issues that can be managed at home. Premature infants often are discharged a little before their due date (as early as 35 weeks corrected age), and somewhat smaller than if they had been born at term.

The ICN staff is experienced at helping parents prepare for the transition to caring for their baby at home. Many infants will be fine at discharge and can be cared for as normal newborns. Other babies may have medical or developmental issues that need special continuing care. Parents will be taught how to give any medications that their baby will need at home, and will be taught any special feeding techniques. If a baby needs a home apnea monitor or oxygen, parents will learn to manage these.

We are committed to ensuring that the transition to the home environment be as smooth as possible. After discharge, you will have questions, and there may be occasions when you may feel that your baby is having difficulties. Parents should feel free to call the ICN staff with questions following discharge home. Once a relationship is established with a pediatrician, it may be appropriate to consult him/her initially, but parents can always call the ICN with questions.

YES. We will refer you to the finest legal counsel to prepare pre-birth orders. With the pre-birth orders filed, you can take your baby home with you. Your name(s) will be on the birth certificate.

Yes. You are a mammal and you have a great need for privacy, often darkness, and a place where you can get into comfortable positions. Your own home is uniquely designed for your own comfort and security. Top

Babies under 3 months old or weighing less than 5.5kilos need to be in water at least 32°C which will probably mean a hydrotherapy pool. Swimming provides free movement, physical workout, coordination, eating and sleeping patterns. It also increases baby's awareness and understanding as well as being fun and socialable for yourself and baby, helping you all to play as a family. For further information on safe swimming link here

We recommend that your new baby goes home at approximately four weeks of age. This may vary for some do to circumstances such as weather, airline schedule or other unforeseen problems. We always try to get a baby with its new parents by 8-10 weeks so they will form a bond at the proper age.

Once the baby is ten days or more this is no problem. It is a good thing for the baby to see you at a young age, but it is not a crucial thing. We socialize all of the babies as much as possible with out putting them at risk. If you are not local and pick your baby up between 4-8weeks the adaptation will be smooth, and you will have no problem forming a bond. One of the best things you can do is to socialize your baby around as many people as possible at a young age (12 weeks and older).

Yes! Bringing home a new baby is a major adjustment for every member of your family. Fortunately for our new families, there are many classes, support groups and programs available to help you grow into a happy family. Here are just a few. For babies birth through one year. Infant massage nurtures the loving, touching contact between caregiver and infant and has a positive effect upon subsequent development. Call (908) 788-6667.

Secondhand smoke has many harmful chemicals which are known to cause cancer. The chemicals may affect you and your unborn baby. Secondhand smoke can irritate your lungs and may stop oxygen from reaching your placenta, which then reduces baby's oxygen supply. Secondhand smoke can also be harmful to your baby after delivery. Secondhand smoke puts infants at risk for premature birth, death, allergies, asthma, ear infections, and other illnesses.

Make a list of all the things you'll want to know and make sure your caregiver knows you'll want to know those things. You might want to set a few questions aside and surprise her with them - at least until you get to know her.

The Resident and Breed search engines are located at the top of each Resident Index Page. You can search by breed, baby's name, city, state or zip code.

If you live away from the local area and want to be transferred back to your local hospital and arrangements have been made for this then you must stay at least one night. If you go home early, your baby will have a Newborn Screening Test (NST) attended before discharge. Within the local area the Community Midwife (CMP) will visit you for your postnatal checks. A second NST will be performed also.

According to the UK's leading midwives and Childbirth Educators, it is actually SAFER to have your FIRST baby at home. The reason for this is because should an emergency occur (which is statistically less likely in any case if you are at home!) there is more time to deal with this, because a first labour is usually longer than subsequent labours.

A voluntary home visiting service for all families who deliver their first baby at select hospitals in Contra Costa County, California. Currently the program serves approximately 1,300 families per year in a county of one million residents and 4,800 annual first-time births.

All societies receive a large return on their investment when families are supported after the birth of the first baby. The cost of providing services for high functioning families is offset by the lack of funding necessary to identify families at risk. Families will thrive when they are guided by a visitor in their home who is trusted and understands their unique needs. Children ages 0-3 are especially vulnerable to violence and parental depression.

Administrative oversight from the Contra Costa County Children and Family Services Department and Moss Beach Homes Inc.

Based on the needs of the parents and baby, Family Support Specialists can provide visits for up to three years. One-on-one supervision/job shadowing with Team Leader Supervisors and Family Support Specialists occurs either once/week or twice/month. Staff are equipped with laptops, PC's and cell phones so that they can work at home or at their offices. The Director is a contractor with Contra Costa County Children and Family Services. The rest of the staff are employees of Moss Beach Homes Inc.

Instalment 1 - the limited number of 'must have' items that you will need as soon as your baby is born Delayed delivery allows you to order the 'must have' items in advance to allow for any lead times but to delay delivery until the last minute.

Yes. Birth mothers sign a release for the hospital that allows the adoptive parents to visit with, hold, feed, and provide other acceptable care for the infant while he/she is still in the hospital. In many cases, the hospital will allow the adoptive family to have a private room with the baby in order to be with him/her around the clock if that is what they desire.

Yes, childbirth is a normal, healthy process and for many women home is the best place to relax and let the birth unfold. Many studies have shown that home births with a qualified attendant is quite safe, provided the woman is in good health and it has been determined to be a low-risk pregnancy, and labour. For more information, you can read this factsheet (PDF) published by the Citizens for Midwifery. Back to Top

Sure! If you are having a low-risk, healthy pregnancy, it doesn't matter whether you are having your first baby or your tenth. If you meet the following criteria, then you are probably eligible for a home birth: Many of our clients are first-time moms and have beautiful home births. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us.

No, I have not. And I hope to keep it that way. The art and science of safe birth is to screen and intervene long before a problem becomes life threatening. While there are no guarantees in hospital or at home, my commitment to you is to give you 100% of my attention to your birth.

The refund is the same if you complete the Program unsuccessfully, if you withdraw, or if IntegraMed withdraws you from participation in the Program. Refunds are determined by the amount of services completed in your first cycle. If you have attempted your first cycle, but are canceled prior to retrieval, you will receive a 90% refund. Once you go to retrieval on your first cycle, you are eligible for a 70% refund at any time between cycles or if you complete the Program unsuccessfully.