My first and only child was born at 28 weeks gestation. It was a very scary time for me because I did not know what to expect and wanted my daughter to be ok. I am trying to put together information so parents can have an idea of what to expect if they are in the same or similar situation
that I was in. Most of this information is based on a baby born between 26 and 29 weeks of gestation.
A brief over view of my daughter: she weighed 2 lbs 1 ½ ozs at birth and was 14 1/4" long. She was in the NICU for 2 months and 1 day. After the first month she was moved from the North unit to the South unit. The north unit is for the babies that need more care or just coming in. The south unit is for babies that are more stable and are getting ready to go home. Her main problems in the NICU were RDS, PDA, IVH, ROP and apnea. These are very unfamiliar words for someone that is not a doctor so I was pretty confused at first.
RDS stands for Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Most premature babies born before 30 weeks of gestation have problems with RDS. Many of them will be put on a ventilator at first, but continue to need oxygen through nasal prongs until they're closer to term. Around 50% of babies born 26 to 29 weeks gestation develops BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), but it normally will resolve before the age of two.
A premature baby who had RDS at birth that still needs the ventilator several weeks later can develop BPD. This happens when the supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation has damage the babies lungs and has impaired their natural healing process. The most severe forms of BPD are very rare.
PDA is a fetal blood vessel close to the heart, which is supposed to close within the first few days of life. Sometimes it will remain open in preemies. When there's a PDA, too much blood flows through the lungs, making a premature baby's RDS worse and increasing the chance for chronic lung damage. Some PDA's don't seem to cause problems, so the doctor may wait to see if they will close on their own.
A brief over view of my daughter: she weighed 2 lbs 1 ½ ozs at birth and was 14 1/4" long. She was in the NICU for 2 months and 1 day. After the first month she was moved from the North unit to the South unit. The north unit is for the babies that need more care or just coming in. The south unit is for babies that are more stable and are getting ready to go home. Her main problems in the NICU were RDS, PDA, IVH, ROP and apnea. These are very unfamiliar words for someone that is not a doctor so I was pretty confused at first.
RDS stands for Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Most premature babies born before 30 weeks of gestation have problems with RDS. Many of them will be put on a ventilator at first, but continue to need oxygen through nasal prongs until they're closer to term. Around 50% of babies born 26 to 29 weeks gestation develops BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), but it normally will resolve before the age of two.
A premature baby who had RDS at birth that still needs the ventilator several weeks later can develop BPD. This happens when the supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation has damage the babies lungs and has impaired their natural healing process. The most severe forms of BPD are very rare.
PDA is a fetal blood vessel close to the heart, which is supposed to close within the first few days of life. Sometimes it will remain open in preemies. When there's a PDA, too much blood flows through the lungs, making a premature baby's RDS worse and increasing the chance for chronic lung damage. Some PDA's don't seem to cause problems, so the doctor may wait to see if they will close on their own.
Premature babies do not develop to full term. They are at high risk for problems at birth and later on in life. Medically some are fine and some need doctors for the rest of their lives.
By Chris Demoura | Published 11/15/2005 | Read more »
I was 33 weeks pregnant when I went into premature labor for the third time. Unlike the previous two times, they were unable to stop my labor.
By Angelica Hoover | Published 1/22/2007 | Read more »
What causes premature births is unknown.
There are many factors that may play a role in the cause
There are many factors that may play a role in the cause
By Jennifer Frye | Published 11/20/2006 | Read more »
November 14th is Prematurity Awareness Day. While prematurity is not spoken of the fact is that the rate of premature deliveries is rising. Join with the March of Dimes to help fight prematurity.
By Beverly Nowlin | Published 10/3/2006 | Read more »
While we generally consider premature birth to be a great disadvantage to both mom and baby, the avoidance of placenta previa may be one reason a premature birth is advantageous
By Christine Cadena | Published 9/6/2007 | Read more »
Proper nutrition for babies is essential, especial for premature babies. Each premature baby will have different level of eating habits depending on her level of maturity. As parents and caregivers, there are important factors to keep in mind when feeding a premature baby.
By Erica Williams | Published 8/14/2007 | Read more »
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Posted on 11/26/2007 at 7:11:00 PM