Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

If your baby is born prematurely or with a serious illness, Mercy Medical Center has a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) operated by Valley Children's in our Family Birth Center. Valley Children's Healthcare operates an eight-bed Intermediate Level II NICU. In addition, they have specially trained NICU doctors and nurses who use state-of-the-art equipment to care for every need of the tiniest of newborns. Our goal is to provide specialized care for premature babies and embrace parents as a vital part of the healthcare team. If the baby requires a higher level of care, they will be transferred to Valley Children's Hospital in Madera.

Visiting Your Baby in the NICU

You are welcome to visit your baby at any time in the NICU. There are some precautions that must be taken in order to enter the NICU. Our staff will walk you through the necessary steps you'll need to take each time you visit your baby, whether you plan to touch your baby or not.

If you are feeling ill, please let us know. If you display symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, rash, fever, or have been exposed to a communicable disease, we ask that you do not enter.

The number of visitors to the NICU may be limited on occasion.

How is My Baby Doing?

If you have any questions regarding your baby's condition, please feel free to ask your baby's nurse. Your nurse is here for you, as well as your baby, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Parents are encouraged to call the NICU at any time of the day or night to ask about their baby.

Mercy Medical Center (Valley Children's NICU): (209) 564-5265

Patient confidentiality laws restrict our ability to release information about the babies in our care to anyone other than the baby's parents.