There is a unique joy in seeing parents take their baby home after a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

At Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area, we are committed to making the small moments happen for our tiniest patients. Our NICU is located in the Women's Center at Bay Area, near our labor and delivery unit, and is staffed 24/7 by a team of neonatal specialists who provide the lifesaving care your NICU baby needs and deserves. Our NICU team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, cardiologists, neonatal surgeons, nephrologists, neurologists, physical therapists and ophthalmologists.

Our NICU and newborn nursery staff have completed the Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP), which provides essential training and education for healthcare providers involved in caring for newborns requiring resuscitation. The program is offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Global Programs and Services. It aims to improve neonatal outcomes by equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond in critical situations.

Our NICU and newborn teams have also completed the S.T.A.B.L.E. program, which focuses exclusively on the post-resuscitation and pre-transport stabilization care of sick infants. The successful completion of these programs demonstrates our commitment to career development and dedication to providing high-quality patient care.

Corpus Christi advanced neonatal care

When your baby requires special care, we're here to support your family every moment of the way. Our Level III NICU at the Women's Center at Bay Area, we offer comprehensive care for premature and seriously ill newborns. We have the expertise to identify your baby's unique needs and match them with the right care and treatments.

Level III NICU

Level III NICU care includes:

  • Critical care for babies born before 32 weeks gestation, babies who weigh less than three pounds and 5 ounces, and babies with specific medical conditions that require surgery or other specialized pediatric care
  • A full range of respiratory support and equipment to provide life support as long as necessary
  • Access to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical specialists, pediatric anesthesiologists and pediatric opthalmologists
  • Advanced imaging technology and experts to interpret the scans and assist in diagnosis

While in the NICU, your baby may need various tests and procedures, depending on his/her medical condition. Some of the more common tests, treatments or procedures done in our NICU include:

  • High-frequency oscillatory ventilation treatment
  • Inhaled nitric oxide treatment
  • Percutaneous intravenous central catheter (PICC) line

Neonatal transport services

Sometimes unexpected emergencies happen in facilities not equipped to care for sick newborns. The Woman's Center at Bay Area has a specialty transport team that transfers babies by ground or air, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our team is highly trained and includes registered nurses and respiratory therapists prepared to care for a wide range of patient needs during transport. We employ the most advanced technologies so we can provide advanced neonatal care while safely transporting your baby.

NICU family support programs

In addition to providing the lifesaving care your baby needs, we offer several family-centered programs aimed at helping parents and their babies thrive during their time in our NICU and beyond. Some of the programs we offer include:

  • Breastfeeding and lactation support: Breast milk provides the best nutrition for the growth and development of full-term and premature babies. We provide our moms with the support and information they need for breastfeeding and storing breast milk during their NICU stay.
  • Early childhood intervention referral program: This program provides parents with interventions that assist babies in reaching developmental milestones.
  • Kangaroo Club: Skin-to-skin contact has many benefits, particularly for babies born preterm or at low birth weight. We encourage both mother and father to hold your baby against your bare chest to provide extra warmth and promote bonding. Your nurse will help you start kangaroo care and tell you what is best for your baby.
  • ScrapTherapy program: This program provides parents with a scrapbook and supplies to document their baby's milestones, as well as progress, while in the NICU.
  • The Cuddle Club: When you can't be by your baby's side, we have trained volunteers available to provide extra comfort by spending time with your baby.

For families who have lost a child, our bereavement team is available to provide compassionate emotional and spiritual support. For more information about our NICU services, please call (361) 761-2020.