What did the Onsite doctor do for my baby?
There are dozens of reasons why your obstetrician or pediatrician might have called on an Onsite neonatologist to help care for your baby. When the Onsite neonatologist is called, he or she will introduce him- or herself to you. The neonatologist will tell you what is being done for your baby, and why.
Still, with all that goes on after you have a baby, not everyone remembers talking to the Onsite doctor about their baby’s care. Some of the most common reasons for Onsite neonatal care are listed below.
Common reasons your doctor might have asked Onsite to help care for your baby:
Onsite doctors are usually asked to attend deliveries such as c-sections or twin births, even if everything else seems normal and healthy. These are considered “high-risk” deliveries. Having an Onsite neonatologist present helps to lower the risk for the infant.
When babies are born before spending 37 weeks in the womb, they are “premature.” A premature baby may have more problems adjusting to life outside the womb. The earlier the birth, the more problems are likely. However, even infants who are born only 2-3 weeks before the due date may need some help.
Premature babies may need days or weeks of care in the Special Care Nursery or the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery before they are strong enough to go home. The Onsite neonatologist will give this special care.
Hearing loss is the most common birth defect. If it’s not found early, it can affect the baby for a lifetime, so hearing screenings for newborns are now required by law in most states. Onsite staff screen infants for hearing loss.
If you didn’t have a pediatrician yet, or if your pediatrician was not available for some reason, the Onsite neonatologist may do your baby’s first “well newborn” exam.
Your obstetrician or perinatologist may have asked an Onsite neonatologist to give advice about your high-risk pregnancy
If you have questions about your infant’s individual care, please contact our Patient Advocates. They will be happy to look up your baby’s file and explain exactly what the Onsite doctor did for your baby.
Your doctor can have many reasons to ask an Onsite doctor to help care for your baby