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Special Care for Babies at the Area’s Only 24-Hour NICU

Jen Engler had always planned to deliver her son Luke at Halifax Health. After he was born, she realized how important that decision had been.

When Luke was 2 days old, he developed a fever. He needed a spinal tap and other tests to determine the cause. He also needed the constant care that could only have been provided at Halifax Health, the area’s only 24-hour Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The NICU is staffed by neonatologists and neonatal nurses as well as other experts specially trained to care for newborns with special medical needs. This highly qualified team works closely with parents to ensure their newborn children receive the best possible medical care.

Jen said the staff was very accommodating for the 10 days that Luke remained in the NICU.

“They would let me feed him and visit every two hours,” she said. “They let me stay as long as I wanted and they were very caring.” During the times when Jen could not be with Luke, she felt comfortable knowing he was in their hands.

When it came time to deliver her second son, Cole, Jen didn’t hesitate in deciding which medical center to choose. “The nurses are fabulous and so caring and kind,” said Jen. “I’m grateful for the effort of the entire Halifax Health team.”