The monitors continuously provide nurses and doctors with important information. For the most part, these monitors are painless and non-invasive (attached to the outside of the skin).

Your baby will have contact with some, but probably not all, of the following equipment:

Cardiorespiratory Monitor
This is sometimes referred to as a Heart Monitor or C-R (cardio-respiratory) Monitor. Three adhesive patches with wires connected to them are placed on the baby’s chest, abdomen, arms, or legs. The wires are attached to a machine that displays the baby’s heart rate, heart beat pattern, breathing rate and breathing pattern.

Pulse Oximeter
The ‘pulse ox’ continuously measures the amount of oxygen in the baby’s blood. There is a tiny light which is attached to the baby’s palm, foot, finger, toe, or wrist by a piece of adhesive elastic. A cord connects the light to a machine that displays the amount of oxygen being carried by red blood cells in the baby’s body. This may be part of the cardio-respiratory monitor or a separate machine.

Blood Pressure Monitor
Blood pressure may be measured periodically by a small cuff placed around the baby’s arm or leg, or may be measured continuously if the baby has a catheter (tiny tube) inserted into one of the his/her arteries.