A NICU admission can turn delivery into a fast moving medical situation. You may still recover from labor while you try to understand why your baby needs intensive care. Even so, the first days often shape treatment decisions and the medical record. Therefore, focused questions and early record requests can help you stay oriented and protect a clear timeline.
Start By Learning Who Leads Care And How Updates Work
Ask who leads your baby’s plan today and when rounds happen. Next, confirm how the team shares updates and the best number for urgent calls. When you know the routine, you can plan to be present for key conversations.
Ask How Shift Changes Affect Your Baby's Care
NICU staffing rotates, especially on weekends and holidays. Therefore, ask the nurse and provider to summarize the plan at the start of each shift. Also ask what the team expects to change that day, such as weaning oxygen, starting feeds, or repeating labs. If you hear a new diagnosis or concern, ask what evidence supports it and where it appears in the chart. In addition, request a brief recap of delivery room care, including resuscitation steps, APGAR scores, and the exact time your baby arrived in the NICU.
Questions To Ask About Why The NICU Admission Happened
Ask for a plain language explanation and the findings that drove the decision.
Ask:
- What is the main reason for NICU admission today
- What symptoms did you see right after birth
- What tests or observations supported that concern
- Did anything during labor or delivery raise concern about oxygen or infection
- What changed between the delivery room and the NICU
Then ask whether the team suspects one cause or multiple contributing factors.
Questions To Ask About Your Baby’s Current Condition
Once you know the reason, ask what matters right now.
Ask:
- What problems are you treating today
- How stable are oxygen levels, heart rate, and temperature
- What improvement do you want to see in the next 24 hours
- What would trigger a change in treatment or higher support
If your baby needs breathing support, ask which device the team uses and what the settings mean. Also ask why each medication is necessary and what will guide stopping it.
Questions To Ask About Tests And Monitoring
Because NICU teams rely on data, ask what each test looks for and what the results mean.
Ask:
- What labs did you order and which results matter most
- Are results improving, stable, or worsening
- Did you order imaging, and what did you find
- What is the next test you plan and what question does it answer
- Also ask for trends, since patterns over time often matter more than one number.
Questions To Ask About Treatment Timing And Next Steps
Timing can matter in newborn care, so ask when care started and what happens if progress stalls.
Ask:
- What treatment did you start first and when
- What will you do next if my baby does not improve as expected
- Do you anticipate transfer to another hospital and why
- What milestones need to happen before discharge
Questions To Ask About Feeding, Bonding, And Your Role
Even in the NICU, you can often support your baby.
Ask:
- When can I hold my baby and what needs to happen first
- When can feeding start and what method fits my baby’s condition
- If I pump, how should I label, store, and deliver milk
- What can I do during cares, such as diaper changes
If you need help with pumping plans, transportation, or leave paperwork, ask for a lactation consultant or social worker.
Records To Request Right Away From Labor And Delivery
Request records from pregnancy, labor, and delivery, because they often explain the transition to the NICU.
Request:
- Prenatal records, including ultrasound reports and labs
- Labor and delivery nursing notes and flowsheets
- Fetal heart monitoring strips and interpretations, if used
- Medication administration records
- Delivery note and any operative report
- Cord blood gas results, if obtained
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Records To Request Right Away From The NICU
Next, request NICU documentation that tracks condition and decisions.
Request:
- NICU admission note and diagnosis list
- Daily progress notes and consult notes
- Respiratory support records
- Lab results with timestamps
- Imaging reports, if done
- Medication list with start and stop times
If your baby transfers, request transfer notes and transport records, too.
How To Organize Information Without Adding Stress
Use one folder and one running note.
Write down:
- When staff first expressed concern
- Delivery time and your baby’s initial condition
- Key tests and treatments with approximate times
- Names and roles of the clinicians you meet
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NICU After Delivery FAQ
Can I Request Records While My Baby Is Still In The NICU
Yes. You can request them through the hospital medical records department at any time.
What If Different Staff Members Give Different Answers
Write down the differences, then ask the rounding physician to confirm the plan for the day.
What If I Do Not Understand A Diagnosis
Ask for an everyday explanation and what signs would show improvement.
What If I Suspect A Labor Problem Contributed To The NICU Admission
Focus on complete records and a clear timeline. A careful review can help you understand what occurred and why.
Talk With Anapol Weiss About Questions After A NICU Admission
A NICU stay can leave families with urgent questions and uncertainty. If you want help understanding the records, the timeline, and what the medical team documented, Anapol Weiss can review the information and explain potential next steps. Bring any discharge paperwork, your notes, and your list of questions so you can get clear, practical guidance.
Give us a call today at 866-944-0553 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our baby birth injury attorneys. We represent families throughout Pennsylvania, including Doylestown, Levittown, New Hope, and Yardley. We also represent families throughout the U.S. If you suspect that negligence led to your baby’s NICU admission, we’re here to help.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.