A preterm or premature baby is one who is born before
the 37th week. The degree of prematurity and the consequences
vary. There is a good difference between a baby born
at say the 24th week and the 36th week, because the
longer the time spent inside the uterus the more developed
and mature the baby will be.
A baby can also be born too small (below 5.8lb) and
will need to catch up with their larger peers. Though
a low-birth weight baby (born prematurely or not)
is at a higher risk than larger babies medical care
has made it possible for them to become normal healthy
children in due course. Nevertheless feeding and bonding
and all other aspects of parenting become a concern,
because your baby is tiny and fragile. To feel anxious
and afraid is normal because of the adjustment period
that lies ahead.
| Very
premature babies rarely reach their milestones
on time, until they are about three. |
|
Causes of Prematurity
There are several reasons behind a premature birth,
and in some instances, at least a third of them, the
reasons are unknown. While it is scary to realize
that a premature birth cannot be prevented, you can
also understand that mothers should not blame themselves
should they go into early labor. The probable reasons
in the remaining cases are:
• Preeclampsia (which can cause insufficient
blood flow in both mother and baby due to a defected
placenta)
• Obstetric cholestasis which is a liver disorder
in the mother
• Gestational diabetes
• Infection in the womb, bladder or vagina can
trigger labor
• Twins or other multiple pregnancies
• Previous surgery to the cervix
• Lifestyle including smoking, poor diet, recreational
drugs and high caffeine intake can cause preterm labor
| Babies
born early under 28th week appear more
fragile with more transparent skin as
they have very little fat on their bodies.
The older the gestational age the less
fragile he will look. |
|
Your Preemie's Appearance
In the start a preemie may look very different from
a term baby but these differences are temporary. Once
they reach 40 weeks of gestation or their due date,
they resemble the average newborn in terms of size
and development. (Preemies just need some more time
to get there).
• Babies will typically weigh between 1600gms
(3.5lb) and 1900gms (4.3lb) or even less.
• Babies not having stayed long enough in the
womb have little body fat and therefore appear frail
with translucent skin. (In some babies the veins and
arteries are visible).
• Baby's head will appear larger in comparison
to the rest of the body
• Baby will have more body hair (lanugo) due
to the soft down covering the skin which did not get
shed.
• Immature circulatory system causes a preemie's
skin coloring to change whenever he is handled or
fed.
• Sexual characteristics are not fully formed,
for example undescended testicles
• Baby's ears may be flat, folded or floppy
because the cartilage has yet to develop.
• They often lie with hands and leg straight
because the body hasn’t formed muscle control
• Baby will be less energetic and will require
more sleep and rest
• Preemie may cry little or not at all, unlike
term babies
Bringing your Baby Home
Most hospitals either discharge a baby when she/he
reaches 40 weeks but occasionally it can happen 2-4
weeks before the due date. Babies are usually sent
home on the following criteria:
• Baby is able to maintain normal body temperature
in an open crib
• Baby is breathing on her own without supplemental
oxygen
• Baby is free of any infection
• Baby shows no signs of apnea (pauses in breathing
that can last 20 seconds or more)
• Baby is able to feed from breast or bottle
• Baby is making progress in terms of weight
gain
The future
Leaving the womb early definitely means you will have
a lighter and smaller baby. Rest assured a premature
or low-birth weight baby will catch up quickly, with
most growing to normal size. By the age of 2-3 there
is hardly any difference between a baby born at term
and one that came too soon!
