Babies don’t arrive according to schedule, so the 93 hospitals that provide obstetric services are ready around the clock to provide the different services needed to support all kinds of deliveries. Many of these moms also rely on hospitals and health systems for the prenatal care that is so important to getting their babies off to healthy starts.
Many Pennsylvania hospitals also have neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to provide the highly specialized care needed by babies if
- They’re born prematurely
- Problems happen during their delivery
- They show signs of health issues in the first few days of life
In Pennsylvania, 95 hospitals have NICUs with equipment designed for infants and medical staff specially trained in newborn care.
Unfortunately, our state’s opioid crisis is resulting in more babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. These babies require special care and attention and may need longer hospital stays. Some of these babies may need to be cared for in NICUs.
During 2015, more than 2,600 newborns were hospitalized in Pennsylvania for substance-related problems, including opioid addiction.
Access to obstetric services for all Pennsylvania’s expectant mothers and NICU services for babies is crucial. Providing access to appropriate prenatal, obstetrics, and postpartum services is an essential investment in Pennsylvania’s future.
Hospitals that provide obstetric services and have neonatal intensive care units are eligible to receive special funding from the state to support these specialized services.