Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Services

Welcome to the Memorial Hermann Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where we provide comprehensive care for newborns of all gestational ages with a range of medical needs.

Our NICUs are equipped with the latest technology and staffed by health care professionals who are specially trained in the care of newborns. At Memorial Hermann, we understand that the birth of a newborn can be a challenging time for families. We are dedicated to providing the high-quality, personalized care for both the newborn and family.

NICU Levels

Memorial Hermann offers NICUs at different levels of care. The level of NICU care depends on the complexity and severity of the newborn’s medical needs. Here is a brief overview of the different levels of NICUs available at Memorial Hermann:

Level IV

Our 118-bed Level IV NICU at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center is one of the biggest in Texas, providing comprehensive care to newborns of all gestational ages. As the highest level of neonatal care available as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), our Level IV facility treats the most complex and critically ill newborns/infants and/or those requiring sustained life support. Through our affiliation with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, a comprehensive range of pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical subspecialists is available to care for patients, offering the capability to perform major pediatric surgery for complex conditions. Neonatologists are in-house to provide care 24/7.

Through our Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team and Memorial Hermann Life Flight^®, our Level IV NICU has the ability to treat critically ill newborns transferred from community hospitals all across the Greater Houston area.

Level III

Level III NICUs provide comprehensive care for newborns of all gestational ages with mild to critical illness or requiring sustained life support. They also provide for consultation to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists, and the capability to perform major pediatric surgery onsite or at another appropriately designated facility.

Level II

Our Level II neonatal facilities can provide care for infants generally 32 weeks’ gestational age or greater and birth weight 1,500 grams or greater who have physiologic immaturity or problems that are expected to resolve rapidly. This designation signifies that the facility has a sound plan for transferring newborns/infants to a facility designated to safely provide more acute or long-term care if needed.

What to Expect in the NICU

Preparing for your time in the NICU at Memorial Hermann? Here's what you need to know:

Care-by-Parent Rooms: Our seven care-by-parent rooms offer hands-on training for parents. You'll learn essential home care techniques and treatments.
Neonatal Pain Management: We prioritize your baby's comfort. Activities like gentle handling, snugly holding your baby, rocking, swaddling and creating a calm environment help ease pain. Medication options are available when needed, tailored to your baby's specific needs.
Care Conferences: We value your input and collaboration. Care conferences are family sessions where you actively participate in planning your baby's care during their hospitalization. These conferences can be requested by anyone involved in your baby's care and are especially helpful for infants with complex care needs.
Updates on Your Baby's Condition: We understand your need for updates. Our neonatal medical team strives to keep you informed and updated on your baby’s care plan and progress. In the evenings, a medical provider is on call and able to provide updates when requested.
Kangaroo Care: We recognize the profound benefits of skin-to-skin contact between parents and their newborns. Kangaroo care, also known as skin-to-skin contact, creates a nurturing environment by allowing babies to rest directly on a caregiver’s bare chest. This technique promotes bonding and provides immediate warmth, security and comfort to newborns. Whether it's the soothing sound of a parent's voice or the gentle rhythm of their heartbeat, kangaroo care offers a multitude of advantages for both premature babies in the NICU and full-term infants. These benefits include helping to maintain optimal body temperature, stabilize breathing and heart rates, promote healthy weight gain and support organ function. Additionally, this approach allows babies to experience deep and undisturbed sleep, reducing crying and fostering a calmer, less stressful environment.

At Memorial Hermann, we are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care during your NICU experience. We're here to support you and your baby every step of the way.