Special Considerations for the Premature Baby

Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be healthy and safe. Normally a pregnancy lasts nine months. The gestation of a full term pregnancy is traditionally between 37 to 42 weeks. Any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature.

Premature Babies face many challenges that full term babies often escape. This includes the possibility of being born with organs that are underdeveloped. Many premature babies have respiratory problems, as the lungs are generally one of the last organs to develop completely during gestation.

Fortunately modern technology has provided hospitals with the ability to care for infants born prematurely. In times of old infants born before 34 weeks faced many challenges, and were much more likely to die. Modern technology has allowed babies born as early as 26 weeks to still survive. There are several factors which might contribute to a mother's likelihood of having a premature infant. These include the following:

Having delivered a premature baby before, which increases your risk up to 40%

Multiple gestations - the parents of twins generally face delivering prematurely

Diabetes

Smoking

High Blood Pressure

Pre-eclampsia - a condition in the mother experiences high blood pressure and edema, normally resulting from a buildup of toxins in the body

Malnutrition

Accident or injury

Fetal Distress

Some premature babies have to stay in the hospital for several weeks after birth, until they are strong enough to venture home with mom and dad. Babies born before 34 weeks are often given steroids to help the lungs mature, in the hope that respiratory problems might be minimized. Some premature babies are too weak when born to suckle at mother's breast. Moms however are still encouraged to place their premature infant at their chests. Studies show that babies who have skin to skin contact when born prematurely are more likely to thrive and gain weight faster than those who are not.