Seeing Your Baby for the First Time in the Neonatal Unit

Most parents are shocked when first visiting the neonatal unit. This is hardly surprising as it is full of equipment and strange sounds. However, it is the equipment surrounding each baby that keeps them warm, monitors their bodily functions, and supports their breathing.

The level of care your baby needs will, of course, depend on how early she was born, how she is responding to treatment, how weak she is, and how poorly she is. For example, most babies born before 28 weeks are likely to need mechanical help such as a ventilator, while babies born after 28 weeks may only need oxygen support.

Along with the unfamiliar equipment, your baby will probably look different to how you were expecting. This will be because she was born at an earlier stage of development than a full-term baby. Premature babies often appear thin with very little body fat. They may also have a fine covering of dark hair, called lanugo - this will disappear quickly. Your baby may be tiny and her skin may be transparent due to the lack of fat.

Although all the equipment may be distracting, try to focus on your baby. The monitors are there for the staff to check your baby's progress and, while you may feel helpless initially, you are a vital part of their team. It is important that your baby gets to know your and your partner's voice, smell, and touch, and she will be reassured by your presence. Babies often recognize their parents' voices from the moment they are born, and therefore she will find hearing you immediately familiar and reassuring.

As with all births, emotions are extremely variable and love doesn't always come instantly. Your feelings will change over the course of the days, weeks, and months ahead, so in the first few hours with your babies try not to judge yourself unkindly but make the most of each moment.

• As twin deliveries are relatively uncommon, and because staffs are needed to care for each baby you may find that there are more people in the delivery room than you would expect. You may be asked whether you are happy for trainees to be present to observe. If you would prefer to keep the numbers of people present to a minimum do make this clear to your midwives.

• After birth a pediatrician will check over the babies. As long as they are both well, they will stay with you at all times and be cared for and transferred to the postnatal ward as normal. Hold and cuddle your babies, either together or singly, as much as you like, just as you would a single baby.

• About 40 percent of twins will need care in the neonatal unit. This may be because they are very premature or small so win need special care until they have grown a little and are able to maintain their own body temperature and feed independently. Even heavier twins, particularly the second born, can be sent to the unit for a few hours or days if they are experiencing initial breathing difficulties or any other potential difficulty. You will be encouraged to care for them alongside the neonatal nurses as much as you can, and your midwife will support you to express your breast milk as you wish.