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Bringing a baby into the world is an amazing and wonderful thing. Most of the time the only things a new mom will have to worry about after delivery is how to get enough rest, when to find time to take care of herself and of course how to care for the new baby when he comes home. When your newborn ends up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit life can get hectic and life is suddenly not what you were expecting. You might be within driving distance from the hospital with the ability to go home at the end of the day, or your newborn might also have been transported to a hospital so far away that you need temporary housing in another city. No matter how far from home you are, you need to take the time to step back take a breath and take care of yourself.

1. Call your family and/or friends to help you. They will be there for you and will be able to help you with any older children you might have. They are great support and can help keep your spirits up. They can be the ones to pass on information to the rest of the family and to friends who call your house. They will gladly take on any thing you ask of them so don't be afraid to start delegating. Your new baby's grandparents are ready to support you, let them.

2. Don't forget that you just gave birth. You need to slow down and let your body heal. After giving birth you really should be in bed for a few days while your body recovers from the trauma of childbirth. While you are waiting to see your baby for the first time, go to the waiting room and sit down. Put your feet up and don't strain yourself. You should not be pacing the hallways. Once you get to your newborn's bedside sit down. If you are having trouble getting around or if you just had a C-section, ask for a wheel chair. Ask for help if you feel you need it.

3. If your OBGYN offers to a subscription for a pain reliever like vicodin take it. You don't need suffer with back pain or other pains associated with child birth while you are sitting at your baby's bedside. Ibuprofen is a great help too.

4. From the very beginning you need to remember to drink plenty of water and get enough healthy food. Hospital cafeterias don't always have the best choices, but if you take the time to look you should be able to find something good for your body. If there is a salad bar, get a big salad. You are going to need plenty of fruits and veggies. Have a turkey sandwich instead of a piece of pizza. Get water, fruit juice or protein drinks instead of sodas or "energy" drinks.

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