by Sjona Lindquist
What is the difference between premature babies and preemies?
There is no difference between premature babies and preemies. Both terms are used interchangeably in articles, preemie stores, medical staff, growth charts, or any other medium of communication or reference. However, we have noticed that people in the medical field prefer to use the term "premature babies" and use it more often than the term "preemies".
What are premature babies?
A normal healthy pregnancy lasts between 37 and 42 weeks gestation, and a baby born in this range is considered a full-term infant. These newborns have the best chance of survival as well as the greatest opportunity for health. Premature babies, or preemies, are infants that are born before the bottom safety limit of 37 weeks gestation is reached. This does not automatically mean that a premature infant will have serious health issues or will die. As a general rule, the earlier a baby is born, the more difficulties she will face.
Why do some women have premature babies?
There are many different reasons why women have preemies. Uterine structural abnormalities, infections, hormone imbalance, chronic illnesses, and physical or emotional trauma are some of the unavoidable causes for labor to begin prematurely. There are other explanations such as stress, drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol, poor eating habits, insufficient prenatal care, not enough weight gained during pregnancy, but these can be avoided with a little education and a lot of common sense. If it isn't healthy for you, it may be deadly to your baby. However, despite all of the best intentions of the mother-to-be, some of the reasons for preterm labor are still unknown to the medical world and cannot be eluded.
Who is more likely to have premature babies?
Women all over the world have preemies from all races and in all age ranges, but there are groups of women who have risk factors that are higher than others. Women over 35 years old or under 19 have a larger percentage of preterm births than other women. African-American women have the highest preterm birth rate, Hispanic women come in second, and Caucasian comes in last of the three races studied. Other factors include women pregnant with multiples and previous premature birth.
How are premature babies different than full term babies?
In some ways preemies are not very different than full term babies, but in more ways they are quite individual and require a broadminded mindset from the preemie care provider. Caring for preemies can be quite challenging at times because they require all the care and have all the needs of a full term newborn, yet they have unique needs particular to preemies and then again particular to your specific preemie and her medical analysis. These needs can fluctuate and change quickly or can remain consistent. The difficulties can range from mild to severe and can include respiratory infections, various respiratory problems, hypothermia, anemia, cardiac issues, hemorrhaging in different parts of the body, hypoglycemia, jaundice, developmental delays, eating problems etc. An alert care giver must always be on hand to make sure that medical treatment or whatever else is needed will be implemented quickly.
How often are premature babies born?
There are 1.3 out of every 10 (or almost 13 out of every 100) babies born prematurely in the United States every day. This number has steadily increased since the early 80's. Advanced medical care, cutting-edge infertility treatments, increased numbers of multiple pregnancies, and many other reasons have led to this significant increase. Some preemies are now able to survive despite weighing a little over a half a pound at birth.
Where are premature babies taken care of?
Preemies are taken care of in a special area of the hospital called a NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In the NICU, there are special kinds of equipment, medical devices, and comfortable things that are appropriate to the needs of preemies. A special bed for premature babies called an isolette, a neonatal incubator, helps to maintain the proper body temperature, oxygen levels, humidity, and keep drafts away. All of these things help the hospital's medical staff to give preterm infants the best care possible.
To what extent are premature babies affected by prematurity?
Usually this depends on how early a preemie is born because the earlier a baby is born the more medical care she requires, and the severity of the difficulties increases. Preemies can make a full recovery, have minor health issues, major health issues, or death. Prematurity is a serious problem for these tiny infants and can result in lasting consequences throughout their lives.
When can premature babies go home?
Generally preemies are not ready to leave the hospital until they have reached their due date, but this is not always true. There are many other factors that must be considered before the hospital will release each preterm infant. A baby must be able breathe well on her own, maintain her body temperature, to eat and be steadily gaining weight. Her medical condition cannot be too serious or her parents will not have the ability to care for her properly. Preemies released from the hospital need to be seen by their pediatrician on a regular basis to continue optimal care and give them the best chances for continued health.
What problems do premature babies grow out of and what problems are life-long?
Short term problems are usually the ones that require immediate medical care and serious conditions that would require hospitalization for life to continue. Some of these problems are hemorrhaging, sepsis, hypothermia, jaundice, serious heart problems, anemia, hypoglycemia, and severe respiratory distresses. Long term problems associated with prematurity in varying degrees are deafness, blindness, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, mental retardation, and other minor or major health problems. The needs of preemies are great, but their precious little lives bring us inspiration every day.
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