Neonatal Intensive Care
Receive highly skilled, compassionate treatment.
Novant Health provides exceptional neonatal intensive care treatment for your child. Our highly skilled medical experts and advanced technology allow us to handle critical conditions, including premature birth, birth defects and serious newborn health conditions.
NICU locations where you need them
Novant Health has multiple certified NICU locations where your newborn can immediately be taken care of in an emergency.
Wherever you choose to deliver within the Novant Health hospital system, rest assured you will have access to one of our NICUs, either onsite or nearby. Most Novant Health maternity centers have certified NICUs or can quickly transport you and your newborn to a nearby unit for the level of care you need.
Depending upon the location, NICUs provide care ranging from level I to level IV, based on ratings by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The higher the level, the more specialized and complex the available treatments and technologies. Level IV NICUs offer the highest level of care available with the most advanced technologies. All of our level I facilities have neonatal nurse practitioner coverage 24/7 to stabilize and assist the transfer of babies that need a higher level of care.
Access to NICUs in Your Area
Located in Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center's level IV NICU has the highest certification attainable in North Carolina for treating premature and critically ill newborns. Your baby will receive continuous care delivered by board-certified neonatologists, pediatricians, registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
Our nearby regional hospitals, Huntersville Medical Center (level III NICU) and Matthews Medical Center (level III NICU), provide on-site treatment with around-the-clock care by neonatologist, specially trained registered nurses, respiratory therapists and other dedicated specialists.
East Cooper Medical Center's Level II special care nursery is here to put you at ease. The only such nursery in Mount Pleasant, SC, we provide specialized medical attention when needed.
You won't be alone through this time. At every step of the way, our multi-disciplinary team of neonatal experts will be with you to guide and support you.
If you are discharged from the hospital before your infant is ready to leave the nursery, we invite you to stay in one of our free "Rest Easy" rooms so can still be close to baby at all times and participate in their care.
For years, residents in the coastal market have been turning to Novant Health Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children Hospital to deliver their babies knowing all their needs will be met. A warm, welcoming environment for new parents, we provide a level III NICU and special care nursery designed to care for premature babies and those born with critical conditions.
Our nationally recognized neonatologists and highly trained staff provide expert care to your newborn while also offering compassion, comfort and support to parents.
From the minute your newborn enters the NICU at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, your baby will receive advanced care with compassion. In addition to the high-quality medical care and conveniences you’ll receive, all of our team members work to make you feel included and supported throughout your baby’s stay.
Our level IIIB NICU provides one of the highest levels of newborn (neonatal) care available. Our staff includes respiratory, speech and physical therapists as well as social workers and breastfeeding (lactation) consultants. With private and semi-private rooms, you and your family can have alone time with your baby while they are in our hospital.
What are neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)?
When you give birth at one of Novant Health’s maternity centers, should you need it, your newborn will have access to around-the-clock care by our expert neonatologists. Our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide advanced medical care for babies born prematurely, with birth defects or other severe complications. With sophisticated monitoring equipment and respiratory labs, our team of board-certified neonatologists, nurse practitioners and registered nurses keep a vigilant eye on your newborn to give you peace of mind.
Who provides treatment?
Your newborn receives highly specialized care from experts trained to work in the NICU environment. Our NICUs deliver continuous care from neonatologists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, pharmacists, nutritionists/lactation consultants and child-life specialists.
Why is neonatal intensive care needed?
Welcoming a new child into the world is a joyous occasion, but premature babies or those born with complications may require a stay in our NICU. We’re here with compassionate critical care should your newborn require assistance with breathing, infection treatment, and organ or other serious conditions.
Receive family support.
If your baby is placed in our NICU, you will still have the opportunity to visit and bond with your child. In fact, we strongly encourage it. Skin-to-skin contact, also called kangaroo care in the NICU, is especially important for a newborn’s health and development. Holding your baby close helps them stay warm and keeps their heart rate, breathing and temperature more stable.
We provide a safe environment for you to interact with your baby, with someone from the NICU staff available anytime to answer your questions. We also offer family support programs, including one-on-one peer support for parents.
Free spiritual support is available 24 hours a day at most locations. Our chaplains have particular empathy for your needs as a parent when your child is hospitalized and undergoing medical treatment. Ask someone from your care team for assistance. To request a visit at Hemby’s Children Hospital, call 704-384-4168.
Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Transport
Our pediatric helicopter and ambulance transportation units bring newborns and critically ill or injured children to the highest level of care when needed. During transport, your child will receive expert intensive care treatment.
You Are Not Alone.
For the families of our tiniest patients, the NICU Family Advisory Council offers support and resources to help guide you during your NICU journey. We serve as a voice for NICU families, connect families with the care team and other NICU families, and encourage you to play a central role in your baby’s care.
If you would like more information, please ask a team member how to connect with the NICU Family Advisory Council at Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital or Forsyth Medical Center or reach out for more information:
- Winston-Salem: Call 336-718-3150
- Wilmington: Email sarahs.hooker@novanthealth.org
