Your questions about premature babies

Wize Guy answers:

It depends on the gestation and condition of the baby.

baby may be placed in an INCUBATOR, a plastic enclosed cot, to help maintain babies temperature.

baby may be INTUBATED, this is being placed on life support (ventilated) so that a machine breathes for baby, because he may have immature lungs.

baby may be on CPAP, cpap stands for continuous positive airway pressure, If baby can breath by himself a little, but get tired easily, this machine will help the airflow into his lungs.

baby may have an IV line (a drip) for nutirients/ blood transfusions and medications

baby may require surgery, these are some of the more common conditions;

PDA Patient Ductus Arteriosis; when a term baby is born the valve that allows blood toflow back through the lungs, closes when the baby takes his first breath. Often prems are too small and this valve does not close (meaning babies lungs fill with blood) surgery can be performed to tie off the valve.

NEC Necrotising EnteroColitis – inflammatory bowel disease, can sometimes require surgery to remove the infected bowel

ROP – Retinopathy of Prematurity, an eye disease found primarily in premature infants caused by oxygen levels given to the infant. ROP causes the retina in the eyes to grow abnormally, sometimes babies need lazer eye surgery to prevent blindness.

I could go on, but its getting a bit long. If you have any specific questions, just give me an email!

Wize Guy answers:

My son was born at 24 weeks and spent 9 months in hospital. He is oxygen dependant, has floppy airways and a tracheostomy. After every thing I heard about risk of infection I was scared to take him out of the house once he was home. His consultant told me that I may be keeping him safe being at home but sometime in his life he will have to leave the house. By not allowing him any contact with germs I’d be putting him at a serious disadvantage as his immune system would not be able to cope when he came into contact with them later. Of course there needs to be a balance so I don’t take him to overcrowded places or anywhere smoky and avoid too much contact with people with colds.
So far, touch wood, he has not had anything other than a bit of a sniffle but he does have one heck of a social life and an awful lot of little friends!

Wize Guy answers:

With my last child, who is now two, my amniotic fluid started leaking at 19 weeks (Fluid that leaks slowly can be replaced by the body, so it’s not as great of a threat as your amniotic fluid being totally gone). They told us there was nothing that could be done. I had a wonderful OB who still gave me the steroids, antibiotics, etc, even though it was “hopeless.” I stayed in the hospital on bed rest for a week, then was able to go home. I stayed lying down, either on my back or left side (unless I had to go potty) all the time. My miracle girl made it to 31 weeks, and was safely delivered two days before Memorial day by C-section. Her lungs were fully developed, and she was great.

I know you’re scared and stressed, but your baby has a really great chance, even if it was born today. Neonatal medicine has come so far in the last few years! I’m not saying everything will be peaches and cream, but I really believe that you and your baby will be just fine. One or both of you may have to spend some extra time in the hospital, but that’s a small inconvenience compared to the alternative.

I wish you, your family and your baby the best of luck. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Wize Guy answers:

heart, lung failure can happen but the baby is usually really very premature like just a few months old other than that they just need extra care to make sure that they do not catch bacterias from adults or other children today they have a lot of technology to keep the baby well and healthy so do not worry!

Wize Guy answers:

respiratory problems…SIDS…mental retardation…vision and hearing problems….among many others!! sorry cant b more help..preggo brain!!

try march of dimes website!!

good luck