Lake Charles Neonatal ICU

Your Baby is In Good Hands with Our Dedicated Team

Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women has the most advanced Level III neonatal intensive care unit in southwest Louisiana. Because we know that high-risk newborns need their parents as much as they need the care that our dedicated team of neonatal specialists provides, you have access to your infant and are included in decisions about his or her care while your infant is nurtured in our NICU. We offer a breastfeeding room for mothers, as well as two uniquely designed nesting rooms where families and primary caregivers can learn to care for the new baby prior to discharge.

We recognize that not all NICU patients need the same level of care; therefore, our plan of care is structured into stages. As babies progress, they and their parents can transition to more independence and spend more time together. At each step, parents are educated on how to care for their baby so that families are ready for discharge when that special day comes. Our lactation consultants are well versed in helping mothers provide nutrient-rich breast milk, even while your baby is in the NICU.

Neonatal Intensive Care

For premature and newborn critical care, Memorial for Women’s campus has a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit specially equipped and staffed by a team of dedicated registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners who provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under the medical supervision of board certified neonatologists. The NICU utilizes advanced transport incubators that provide a portable heated environment, state-of-the-art ventilation, and cardiac monitoring during transport of the most fragile infants.

Neonatal Care Specialists

At Memorial Hospital for Women, board-certified neonatologists handle the most complex and high-risk newborns at the time of delivery and in the subsequent care of your infant in some instances. If a problem is identified before your baby is born, a neonatologist may consult with your obstetrician concerning your baby’s care during your pregnancy. Our neonatologists provide special care in the newborn nursery or newborn intensive care unit coordinating care with your baby’s pediatrician.

Neonatal Transport

Some situations are so serious that your child may need the help of trained medical personnel while on the way to the hospital. Our pediatric and neonatal transport team is specially trained and equipped to accompany newborns and children while in route to our hospital. In the event that your child has a serious illness or accident, dial 911 for emergency transport. The team is an emergency response crew that goes, at a moment’s notice, to nearby facilities requesting assistance with a sick or premature newborn beyond their scope of care. This voluntary group of RN's and respiratory therapists must complete a 40-hour transport education course. Physicians or extra nurses accompany the team when necessary.

NICU Specialty Support Services:

24 Hour Critical Care Transport (Ground or Helicopter)
Pediatric Cardiology
Pediatric Hematology
Infectious Disease Consultant
Perinatology
Urology
Ophthalmology
Neurology/Neurosurgery
Surgical Consultants
Pediatric Intensivist
CT scan, MRI, Ultrasound
Community Referrals

Natus NICVIEW Cameras

Brand new Natus NICVIEW cameras are now available. Six cameras have been secured for families to provide a virtual window to view the newest addition of their family via a smartphone or computer if they are unable to be on-site. These small cameras mounted to the NICU bedside captures a live, secure password-protected video stream. Parents have exclusive control over the password, which may be distributed at their discretion to friends or family members. Having NICVIEW cameras available for parents and family members from the first and critical moments of their baby’s life keeps families at the center of newborn care. The cameras and streaming promote bonding even at a distance. The NICU staff is also able to leave notes and messages about the baby for the family to view to keep up with milestones and developments during their babies stay.

Memorial for Women Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
1900 W. Gauthier Road
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 480-7050