Newborn Intensive Care

In Calgary, there are three nurseries providing care to families and newborn babies who have health problems at the time of birth. The problems may be due to premature birth, an illness, or the problems due to change in life outside the womb. These health problems require close observation, and medical, or surgical care.

While all nurseries provide some level of intensive care, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Foothills Hospital provides services for infants in need of the most intensive levels of care. In addition to serving babies and families from the Calgary area, the NICU receives babies transported by ground or air from all areas in southern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Saskatchewan. Less intensive levels of care are provided by Neonatal Intensive Care Units at the Rockyview, and Peter Lougheed Hospital. In addition to these facilities, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Alberta Children's Hospital provides care for newborns who require surgery following birth.

Babies who require specialized care immediately after birth are admitted to these nurseries most often directly from the Labour and Delivery room when problems are first noted. This may mean transferring a mother and/or baby to another hospital depending on care required or availability of beds. A specialized transport team of nurses and respiratory therapists is available to transport newborns. Transfer arrangements are made by doctors with the parents involved in the process.

All of these facilities take a family-centered approach to care, where mothers and fathers are welcome and encouraged to take an active role in the decision making and care of their infants.

Parents are encouraged to be with their baby as much as possible and are welcome to come to the nurseries at any time during the day or night. There are times when they may be asked to leave for a brief period.

Brothers and sisters of the baby are also welcome. However, they must be carefully supervised at all times in and outside the nursery (no other children may visit). A 24 hour crisis nursery located at the Children's Cottage is available to care for children if a family emergency arises and no other care can be arranged. The phone number is 403-240-2273(CARE).

Condition reports and information are given only to parents. If other arrangements are required, parents are asked to speak with the patient care manager or charge nurse.

Foothills Hospital

The Foothills Hospital is located at 1403-29th Street NW (at the corner of 16 Avenue [Trans Canada Highway] and 29th Street NW).

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Unit 55) is located in the main building on the 5th floor.

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Level 3: (403) 944-1354
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Level 2: (403) 944-2497
• Patient Care Manager: (403) 944-2495
• Site Director: (403) 944-4939

Peter Lougheed Center

The Peter Lougheed Center is located at 3500-26th Avenue NE, just a few blocks north of the Trans Canada Highway and on the northeast LRT line.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Unit 35B) is on the 3rd floor.

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: (403) 943-5736
• Patient Care Manager: (403) 943-4849
• Site Director: (403) 943-4892

Rockyview General Hospital

The Rockyview General Hospital is located at 7007-14th Street SW, just south of Glenmore Trail (by the Glenmore Reservoir).

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Unit 63) is located on the 6th floor in the main hospital building.

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: (403) 943-3563
• Patient Care Manager: (403) 943-3615
• Site Director : (403) 943-3424