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Premature Babies
A typical pregnancy usually lasts somewhere in the vicinity of 40 weeks, but when a baby is delivered at least three weeks early, it is deemed premature. Infants that are born after approximately 32 weeks may not be capable of eating, breathing, or regulating their body temperature without special assistance. However, after they've been given time to mature, they often are allowed to go home. Those that arrive before 26 weeks into pregnancy will probably experience severe complications. Parents whose babies are born this young may have to make a life or death assessment regarding treatment.
Complications
Infants who are delivered early may not be able to ingest food orally, breathe on their own, or stay warm. Until enough time passes for it to develop, a premature baby must remain at the hospital under a physician's care.
When a baby is born too soon, their vital organs are not fully formed, which can lead to health problems. All premature babies can suffer from medical complications, but the ones that are born before eight months in the womb are more prone to having something go wrong.
It can be quite a traumatic situation for the mother and father of a premature baby. To cope, you and your spouse should provide one another with a lot of support. It may also be a good idea to seek outside aid from a counselor, social worker, or through religion. You may also have the opportunity to meet with a group of other couples who are going through a similar ordeal.
Risk factors
Premature delivery may be the result of something wrong with the fetus, mother, or both. There have been plenty of examples where the cause is never discovered, but the most common risk factors include:
- Problems with the placenta.
- A pregnancy with at least two fetuses (twins).
- An infection carried by the mother.
- Problems with the uterus or cervix.
- Drug and alcohol abuse while the mother is pregnant.
Treatment
Premature babies remain in the neonatal intensive care unit, where they are monitored for infections and changes in respiratory and pulmonary functions. Until their bodies can regulate temperature, the infants are put into warming beds known as incubators.
They obtain nutrients through a feeding tube or a vein depending on how far along they are. Once the baby has grown enough to be able to breathe, suckle, and swallow, it can begin nursing by breast or bottle.
A premature baby can encounter a variety of other problems; one that has trouble breathing may require an oxygen tube or ventilator. All some may need is medication to cure an ailment, while some internal dilemmas will call for an operation.
Breast milk can actually help your baby fight infection as opposed to formula. Hospitals may even ask a premature mother to extract her own breast milk to be supplied to her child within the first few weeks of life.
Hospital care for a premature baby can really add up. If you have recently given birth to one, consult with a Florida social security disability attorney to find out if you deserve any financial assistance.