Every year, nearly 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. is born prematurely — about 380,000 infants who may require immediate care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These tiny fighters, some born weighing under 2 pounds, face complex medical challenges in their earliest days of life.
September is NICU Awareness Month
NICU Awareness Month is a time to:
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Honor the strength of NICU families
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Recognize the dedication of NICU care teams
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Advocate for better outcomes in fetal and neonatal health
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Raise awareness about the emotional and medical challenges these families face
At the Fetal Health Foundation, we stand with NICU babies, parents, and providers — and we commit to sharing their stories, advancing care, and offering hope.
What Happens in the NICU?
The NICU is a highly specialized environment designed to stabilize and support premature and medically fragile newborns. Babies may need:
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Respiratory support (ventilators or oxygen)
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Feeding assistance (via feeding tubes or IV nutrition)
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Round-the-clock monitoring and diagnostics
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Surgeries or treatments for birth defects or infections
Behind the scenes is a dedicated team: neonatologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and more, all working tirelessly to give each baby the best possible start.
The Family Experience: Strength, Stress & Hope
For parents, the NICU is often unexpected and emotionally intense. They must navigate:
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Long hospital stays
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Limited physical contact with their newborn
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Medical jargon and complex decisions
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Emotional highs and lows, often daily
That’s why family-centered care is so vital — empowering parents to participate in their baby’s care, ask questions, and receive the support they need through one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
Learn more from Project Sweet Peas.
