 What are these wires and
tubes connected to my baby?
The monitors provide the nurses and doctor with
important information continuously. As much as possible these monitors are
painless and non-invasive (attach to the outside of the skin). Your baby will
have some, but probably not all, of the following:
-
Cardiorespiratory
Monitor: This is sometimes referred to as a Heart Monitor or a
C-R Monitor. Three adhesive patches with wires connected to them are
placed on the baby's chest, abdomen, arms or legs. The wires travel to a
machine that displays the baby's heart rate, heart beat pattern, breathing
rate and breathing pattern.
-
Pulse
Oximeter:
The "pulse ox" continuously measures the baby's blood
oxygen. There is a tiny light which is attached to the baby's palm, foot,
finger, toe, or wrist by a piece of adhesive elastic. A cord travels from
the light to a machine that displays the amount of oxygen being carried by
red blood cells in the baby's body. This may be part of the
cardiorespiratory monitor or a separate monitor.
-
Blood Pressure
Monitor: Blood pressure may be measured periodically by a small
cuff placed around the baby's arm or leg, or may be measured continuously
if the baby has a catheter (tiny tube) into one of the baby's arteries.
-
Temperature Probe:
A coated wire will be placed on the baby's skin and covered with an
adhesive patch. The coated wire measures the baby's temperature. This
information is used to help regulate the amount of heat from the overhead
heater or isolette.
-
IV (intravenous
infusion): This is a needle, or small tube, that is placed into
one of the veins of the infant. It is attached by tubing to a container of
fluid. It is used to deliver fluids, medications and nutrients to the
baby. Common sites for IVs are hands, feet, arms, legs, and scalp.
-
Umbilical artery
catheter (UAC) or Umbilical venous catheter (UVC): This is a
small piece of tubing threaded into the baby's artery or vein in the
umbilical stump. In addition to delivering fluids, medication, and
nutrients, blood can be withdrawn painlessly for laboratory studies.
-
Transcutaneous
Oxygen and/or Carbon Dioxide Monitor: This machine measures
oxygen and/or carbon dioxide at the skin. A small circular piece attaches
to the skin with a thin circle of adhesive. This piece both heats up a
tiny area of skin and measures the oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both. A tiny
cord travels from the circular piece to a machine which displays the
information. The oxygen measurement is different from that of the pulse
oximeter so the numbers are different, usually lower. Because the skin
must be heated, there may be a red spot where the circular piece has been.
The location of the piece is changed regularly. The red spots will fade
over time.
-
CPAP (Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure): Oxygen (or air) is delivered under a
small amount of pressure usually through little tubes that fit into the
nostrils of the nose. Delivering oxygen under pressure helps keep the air
sacs in the lung open.
-
Endotracheal Tube:
This is a tube that goes from the baby's mouth or nose into the baby's
windpipe (trachea). It is secured with tape and attaches by tubing to a
breathing machine. It allows the machine to deliver air directly to the
baby's lungs.
-
Respirator or
Ventilator: This is a machine to help your baby breathe. Some
machines make the baby's own breaths bigger (synchronized ventilation), or
give breaths like the baby should be taking. Others, called high frequency
ventilators, hold the lungs open with a constant pressure and then give
hundreds of tiny puffs of air or oxygen each minute.
-
Synchronizer:
This is a small soft circle attached to the abdomen. It is used only
with certain kinds of breathing machines. It tells the machine when the
baby starts to take a breath so the machine breaths can be timed to the
baby's own breaths.
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