Admission

If you wish to have a second opinion or transfer your infant to the NICU at St. Louis Children's Hospital, you must first discuss this wish with your baby's doctor, and she/he must then arrange for transfer of your infant's care.

Your doctor should call Children's Direct Physician Access Line at 800.678.HELP (4357) and ask to speak with the attending doctor. If you or your physician wishes to ask general questions about your baby and the St. Louis Children's Hospital NICU, please feel free to contact Dr. Aaron Hamvas, Director of the NICU or Dr. F. Sessions Cole, Director of the Division of Newborn Medicine. Both physicians can be reached at 800.678.HELP (4357).

If you wish to see a neonatologist before your infant is born, ask your doctor (obstetrician, family practitioner) or nurse midwife to refer you to one of the obstetricians in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. At the time of your appointment, please indicate that you also wish to speak with a neonatologist. A neonatologist will be happy to discuss with you the implications of your child's possible problem(s), give you a tour of the newborn intensive care unit, and help you to meet pediatric surgical and medical subspecialists who might be involved with your baby's care after birth. Prenatal Family History Worksheet.

Transporting your child

Your physician will need to contact one of the attending doctors in the NICU to arrange transport of your infant. Your doctor can arrange transfer by contacting one of the numbers above or by contacting the St. Louis Children's Hospital transport team at 800.678.HELP (4357). A physician and nurse will come to the hospital where your baby is hospitalized and transport him or her back to Children's.