18 Things You Might Not Know About Premature Birth
1.
For many moms, the first signs of premature labor are obvious contractions. But for some, premature labor began with nothing more than a general “off” feeling or minor flu-like symptoms.
2.
A preemie mom’s milk will have extra minerals, fat, and protein, along with leukocytes and antibodies to help protect their preemies from infection, however, the overwhelming amount of pressure, along with stress and fatigue, make it common for moms of premature babies to face challenges with milk production.
3.
Half of all neurological disabilities in children are related to preterm birth
4.
The cause of most preterm birth is unknown, which makes it very difficult to prevent.
5.
Umbilical and inguinal hernias occur more often in preterm infants. Umbilical hernias are usually self-resolving but inguinal hernias require surgery to correct.
6.
Severe cases of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) can result in brain damage! Though it can seem a bit silly phototherapy is vital for preemies with severe cases.
7.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart problem that’s relatively common in preterm infants. It may require surgery to repair the defect but in some cases it can be resolved with nothing more than a dose of ibuprofen.
8.
Research has found that moms who give birth within eighteen months of having a baby are much more likely to have a preemie.
9.
Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, Sir Winston Churchill, Victor Hugo, and Sir Isaac Newton were all preemies.
10.
Preemies are much more susceptible to infections than full-term babies because the transfer of maternal IgG antibodies to the fetus usually happens after the 28th week of pregnancy.
11.
Premature birth is the number one cause of neonatal mortality in the US.
12.
Race and gender can affect the outcomes of premature birth.
13.
Premature birth varies a lot. Preemies born 34-37 weeks are called late-term preemies and have fewer complications. Preemies born before 33 weeks are at risk for more conditions than late-term preemies. Preemies born before 25 weeks are called micropreemies and are at the greatest risk for serious health issues and long-term complications.
14.
Micropreemies are typically born with their eyelids still fused. Typically, they will open their eyes about six days after birth. Because fused eyelids are associated with earlier births, studies correlate fused eyelids and overall outcomes: 52% percent of babies born with their eyelids fused survived to be discharged from the hospital, compared to 83% of those born with eyelids open.
15.
Preemie skin may be very fragile, wrinkly, and red—especially in the earliest preemies. It’s also much more permeable than a full term baby’s skin, making them more vulnerable to infection and less able to regulate their temperature.
16.
A preemie’s development may be evaluated according to an “adjusted age,” which is their chronological age minus the difference between birth date and due date.
17.
The first line of treatment for incidents of apnea of prematurity (where breathing stops for more than 15 seconds) is often stimulation of the preemie’s skin by patting or rubbing—both of which can help a baby begin breathing again.
18.
Parents of preemies are at risk for developing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But studies have shown that kangaroo care can reduce the chances mothers of preemies will develop postpartum depression or anxiety.
There’s a lot we still don’t know about how preemies are unique!
Results of one recent study suggested that preemies have fewer friends than their full-term peers but another study (one that showed that preterm babies are more affected by the quality of a care-giving environment) found that prematurely born children had better social abilities than their full-term peers when they were cared for in households with happy, nurturing parents. What does that mean for your preemie? Probably not much since your preemie is an individual who will forge their own path.
Preemies and termies are clearly very different, but never forget that your preemie – however many challenges they’re facing – is also a baby worth celebrating. There’s no way to predict how far they’ll go in the next year or in a lifetime. The best thing you can do is give your baby every opportunity to explore their potential and love them as much as you can!