Advanced care for infants in Austin and Central Texas
At our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), your newborn will receive the special attention they need.
Our board-certified neonatologists and neonatal experts are available 24/7 at our NICUs. These nurseries are designed to provide stabilizing care for your child in the event of a high-risk pregnancy or complication.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
St. David's HealthCare Saves Mother and Baby with Life-Saving Flight
When Mikayla Martinez was just 22 weeks pregnant, she faced a life-threatening condition that put both her and her unborn baby at serious risk. Thanks to St. David's HealthCare's Maternal Transport Program, Mikayla's journey turned into a story of hope and survival.
Hear from Mikayla and her care team about the heroic efforts and medical interventions that saved Mikayla and her son, Noah.
Our NICU services
If your baby needs specialized care after birth, you can trust us to provide expert care and compassionate support.
We’re here not only to care for your baby’s needs, but to support you and your family during what can be an emotional and overwhelming time. Within our system, we have five NICUs spanning from Level I to Level IV, meaning that regardless of where you give birth, we are able to get your baby the care they need when they need it.
NICU team members include lactation consultants, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatologists, social workers, registered dietitians, various pediatric subspecialists, and occupational, respiratory and speech therapists. Our NICU nurse navigators are beacons of support for you and your family. They will provide you with important information about our labor and delivery units, help schedule prenatal and childbirth classes and facilitate consultations with a neonatologist.
In addition, at St. David's Medical Center and St. David's Women's Center of Texas, families with a newborn in the NICU can take advantage of our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. These dedicated spaces enable you to rest and recharge while your baby receives care.
Our hospital NICU programs
Five of our hospitals offer varying levels of NICU support for premature and critically-ill newborns.
NICU Levels
Whether your baby needs a little or a lot of extra help, we provide the care they need at our NICUs. Our NICUs range from Level I to Level IV based on the complexity of care provided to newborns and the hospitals capabilities. All NICUs feature advanced technology and offer stabilizing care for newborns.
If your baby requires a higher level of care than what is available at their hospital, we will transfer your baby to a facility with a more advanced NICU.
Level I: Regular nursery care that is available at most hospitals that deliver babies
Level II: Intensive care for sick and premature infants
Level III: Comprehensive care for more seriously ill newborns
Level IV: Highest level of care. Level IV units include the capabilities of Level III with additional capabilities and considerable experience in the care of the most complex and critically ill newborn infants and should have pediatric medical and pediatric surgical specialty consultants continuously available 24 hours a day.
Even after your baby graduates from the NICU, your family continues to have access to expert pediatric care through St. David’s Children’s Hospital. If any additional medical needs arise, our experienced team of pediatric specialists are here to provide ongoing support to ensure your child receives the best possible care every step of the way.
Neonatal surgery
Our Level IV NICU at St. David’s Medical Center is uniquely equipped to provide advanced care. The neonatal specialists at this hospital perform a wide range of surgeries, including procedures related to the following specialties:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- General surgery
- Hematology
- Infectiology (infectious disease care)
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic surgery
- Otolaryngology (head and neck care)
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Urology
Neonatal conditions we treat
We treat newborns and premature babies with complex medical and surgical conditions, including:
- Congenital lung malformations
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernias
- Esophageal atresia
- Fetal gastroschisis
- Fetal hernia/hydrocele
- Fetal intestinal atresia
- Fetal omphalocele
- Gastrostomy tube
- Hernia
- Hirschsprung disease
- Hydrocephalus
- Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
- Imperforate anus
- Intestinal malrotation and volvulus
- Necrotizing enterocolitis
- Spontaneous intestinal perforation
- Ovarian cysts or mass
- Posterior urethral valves
- Sacrococcygeal teratoma
- Spina bifida or myelomeningocele
- Tracheoesophageal fistula
- Tracheostomy
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free medical information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Arlo's Journey: From One Pound to One Year
Born at just 22 weeks and weighing little more than one pound, baby Arlo began his fight for life in the Level IV NICU at St. David's Medical Center. Thanks to a life-saving procedure at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, Arlo stayed in the womb long enough to survive birth. After more than six months in the NICU, including multiple surgeries and round-the-clock care, Arlo is now a happy, thriving toddler at home with his family.
Looking for a location?
Our Locations
We didn't find any facilities that matched your search
Please enter a new search using more specific search criteria.