Looking for feedback on NICU at City Hospital

I feel rude coming back to thank you all, weeks after you all took the time to respond. Many thanks for your words of support and the feedback on the NICU - feel much more comfortable about it now but it also appears that they tend to be full, so let's see how things go... I have found some of your stories so very touching and have had a few tears rolling down my cheeks. I hope you all have beautiful, healthy and smart babies by now! Thank you very much, once again xxx

Congratulations! I am sure you are super excited to have little bub home with you. I remember the day I managed to get DS out - the most magical day of my life! Did you manage to talk to the neonatologist? The main issue I had at Welcare was that in five days of being at the NICU every minute of the day we were allowed to be in there (although I was recovering from a CS) I did not manage to see or talk to the neonatologist who was caring for my son. They always said that he had either already been there (outside visiting hours, so parents didn't have access to him) or would come for example at midday (which did not happen as I was there patiently waiting for his majesty), or would come in the evening outside visiting hours (?!). Until I complained to the medical director and I got a call from the neonatologist in person within five minutes :) anyway, I was not impressed with the follow up visit and we moved to a paed outside the hospital as soon as DS was discharged. Unfortunately the team at the NICU was also unable to tell me what was being done to my son and what was the progress - kept totally in the dark with vague comments like: 'he just needs to be in here a few more days to make sure he is fine'. For any further questions I had I was always referred to the neonatologist who never showed up at the time they said he would! As you say, it felt like an eternity but even more so when you don't know and understand why your newborn is being kept away from you and you are no given an indication of how many more days or weeks it will last! I just want to make sure there is someone on duty who can discuss with the parents in detail the condition of the newborn, treatment followed and progress. Also, do they have breast feeding support? There was none of that at my hospital. But have read that they are very pro-kangaroo care and I suspect this could mean they also have good BF support. Many thanks! :)

Am in the middle (26 weeks) of a high risk pregnancy and after a first preterm delivery, my OB/gyn is closely watching this pregnancy. Taking it very easy but chances are I might need to have number two put in NICU again. We are not in City but my doctor has agreed to do delivery there, where she has privileges, given that she does not have another delivery happening at the same time at Welcare where she is based. After a bad experience with NICU at Welcare, I am now looking for feedback on the one at City. Have read wonderful things on the link they have on this page on preterm deliveries so my expectations are high :)