Every birth story begins differently, and for many babies, that story begins in the NICU. A NICU is a neonatal intensive care unit within a hospital that is designed and equipped to care for the smallest and sickest of newborns. Babies who are born prematurely, have a birth defect, have trouble breathing, or suffer from serious illness need specialized round-the-clock care to get them medically stable enough to go home with their caregivers. A NICU stay isn’t easy, but it is a lifeline for newborns in need.
This October, we have chosen Carle Foundation Hospital as our NICU of the month. Many babies in our Kyte community started their lives at this NICU, and your stories and nominations have helped us support the lifesaving care and services the Carle Foundation Hospital NICU provides to so many babies and families in the region.
About the NICU at Carle Foundation Hospital
Located in Urbana, IL, Carle Foundation Hospital is the only hospital in the region offering Level III Perinatal Services. With a team of neonatologists, obstetricians, nurses, and other experts, its 48-bed, 10,000-square-foot NICU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves over 500 babies per year.
The hospital’s NICU team transports premature and critically ill newborns to the NICU via air and ground ambulance. With highly trained nurses and respiratory therapists who specialize in neonatal care, the transport team is able to move these critically ill babies from another hospital to Carle Foundation Hospital’s NICU. Carle also transports high-risk expectant and new mothers, continuing medication and treatment during transport so there is no pause in care. In the event that an expectant mother is not stable enough to be moved, the NICU transport teams travels to them for the safest possible delivery.
Keeping Parents Connected
In 2024, Carle Foundation Hospital became the first and only NICU in the country to offer vCreate, an app where nurses share photos and video as the baby progresses. A NICU stay is stressful enough, but many parents need to spend time away from the hospital for a variety of reasons. Whether it be distance, work commitments, or caring for other children, some parents need to leave their babies at the hospital more than others.This technology bridges the gap and allows parents to view special moments, milestones, and daily progress through their smart phone.
Words From the Kyte Community
“They provided my son with amazing care and stabilization after birth. Not only did they care for my child, they helped support me in my transition to becoming a mom.”
-Lauren H.
“My son was there for about a week. It was such a shock to go from having a healthy baby all pregnancy to my baby having trouble breathing once he was born. They acted quickly and calmly, they made sure to give him the best possible care, and they also took care of us by feeding us and providing a free guest house so we could stay nearby. The staff and team were amazing.”
-Storm R.
“The work they do also while loving all the babies is incredible. I had my son via c-section at 36 weeks and 3 days. He is still in the NICU but he is doing so well. He has had an amazing care team who not only takes care of him but also loves him. They also provide so much support to me as a new mom. They really are incredible.”
-Katie L.
“I am an employee there and my niece was also a patient there for 28 days. The care they give to every patient is incredible. They are the best NICU in our area–-a Level IV. I am unbelievably proud to be associated with them and would trust them with my children’s lives.”
-Emily B.
“The nurses at the Carle NICU are incredible. They not only cared for my 30-week old for almost two months, but they also cared for me. I lost my fiancé a month into my little one’s NICU stay and they provided as much love and support to both of us as they could.”
-Stephany V.
How to Support Carle Foundation Hospital
If you would like to make a donation to Carle Foundation Hospital, you may visit their giving page here and select “Carle Foundation Hospital Greatest Needs” under Gift Designation.
How to Nominate a NICU
If you have a NICU that you would like us to donate to, you may submit a nomination along with your story on our Nominate-a-NICU page.
