Babies born too early or with life-threatening health conditions may be moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive incubation, oxygenation and vital statistic monitoring. HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake is home to a Level II NICU (for intermediate care) and Level IIIb NICU (for advanced care) capable of caring for the most fragile babies. As a Level IIIb NICU, we are specifically designed to care for babies born before the 26th week of gestation. We can also manage assisted breathing either through a ventilator or other oxygenation methods and perform minor surgical procedures.

Our NICU has support staff, board certified NICU doctors and neonatal nurse practitioners available 24/7 to care for your baby. All of our nurses are certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Neonatal Resuscitation Program. We also provide specialized care with access to pediatric surgeons, neurologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, urologists, nutritionists and therapists.

In the case that your baby needs to be transferred to our NICU or a higher level NICU, HCA Houston AirLIFE provides neonatal transport to specialized facilities with more advanced neonatal care.

Clear Lake advanced neonatal care services

Knowing that your baby needs to be transported to a NICU can be a frightening experience for parents. Our team is here to provide both you, and your baby, with compassionate, expert, quality care during this time. Our family-friendly environment encourages you to visit often, to hold, touch, talk to and care for your baby as his or her condition allows. Co-bedding for multiples is also encouraged.

Our NICU is specially designed with noise reduction techniques to ensure that our tiniest and hardest-fighting patients are well rested. Here, your baby can be breastfed or fed through a feeding tube with your pumped breast milk or a special formula.

While your child is in the care of our Level II or Level III NICU care teams, we provide the following support and services:

  • Breastfeeding support
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Family-centered unit
  • Parental support
  • Neonatal transport team

If you are considering delivering at HCA Houston Clear Lake, we invite you learn more about our labor and delivery services or tour our facility.

NICU at HCA Houston Healthcare

The neonatal intensive care unit provides critical care to newborns who are ill or premature. Many factors may lead to a newborn being admitted to the NICU, including low birth weight or complications during delivery. The NICU staff works closely with parents to develop a treatment plan for their newborn.

Learn about NICU