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Posted by Guest Contributor on September 10, 2010
New parents are rarely prepared to deal with the health problems of a new baby. You panic over every fever, cringe when they cough, and wring your hands in indecision when it comes to taking them to the hospital or simply giving them some baby aspirin. And while any newborn faces increased health risks in the first couple years of their lives as their little immune systems learn to protect their bodies, the risks for preemies, which have emerged from the shelter of the womb before fully developing, are even greater. In particular, there are several areas of concern that every parent should be aware of when it comes to monitoring the health of their preemie.
1. Apnea. This is the first and often most noticeable health problem affecting preemies when they come home from the hospital. The part of the brain that controls intrinsic breathing is not fully developed in many premature babies, causing them to stop breathing and their heart rate to slow, most often during sleep. This disturbance, while frightening, generally requires stimulation to get your baby breathing again (usually putting them in an upright position and patting the back, as in burping) and it can be easily detected using a monitoring system with an alarm. Most babies will outgrow this health problem over time, but in severe or prolonged cases, they may need medication.
2. Feeding. A lot of preemies are unable to feed directly (in the mouth) for awhile. As their digestive systems continue to develop, they must be fed slowly to reduce the risk of an intestinal infection called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). They will probably have to ingest nutrients from a tube that goes from the nose or mouth directly into the stomach. The best thing to feed them is usually breast milk because of the proteins it contains that help with growth and protect against infection, but fortified formula can also be used.
3. Infection. Infections of all types are common in preemies, but you may notice that they suffer from a lot of ear and sinus infections, in particular. This is largely due to the fact that these parts are underdeveloped and exposed. However, they may also be prone to any number of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, which can be treated with antibiotics and other prescription medications.
4. Jaundice. Hyperbilirubinemia is caused by high levels of a compound called bilirubin that forms as a natural result of the breakdown of blood. It causes the skin of your infant to turn yellow, along with the whites of the eyes. This problem is easily treatable with exposure to special lights (or in severe cases, a blood transfusion), and it should be addressed immediately to avoid possible brain damage.
5. Circulatory problems. Many preemies experience a number of circulatory problems, from low blood pressure to anemia (low red blood cell count) to patent ductus arteriosis (excess blood flow to the lungs via a prenatal pathway that generally closes shortly after birth, but tends to stay open in preemies). These can generally be treated with a variety of medications and/or blood transfusions.
Sarah Danielson writes for a discount vouchers website where you can find Argos discount codes and Apple.co.uk discount vouchers.
Fostering a sharing and caring environment at home is nothing short of difficult. Especially for twins, who are often times expected to be each other’s best friends, expectations can be overwhelming.
Bunk beds for your twins can grant them individual spaces while still learning valuable lessons about compromise and cooperation. The bunk bed helps save space in the kids’ room while your twins work together toward a common goal, whether it be making the bed or deciding who gets to sleep on the top bunk. Comfortable, secure, stylish, and a space saver, bunk beds can also be a vital learning tool for teaching your kids an important lesson in cohabitation.
Posted by Guest on September 6, 2010
A normal, full-term pregnancy lasts for 39 weeks, while babies prior to the 37th week of gestation are considered premature. Twins who are born prior to the 37th week of gestation are considered premature twins. Preemie twins, as they are often called, are at higher risk for health complications than twins carried full-term. While twins born prematurely normally have problems, that doesn’t mean every set of twins born premature will suffer from health difficulties.
Premature baby complications can include (but are not limited to):
Short-term Complications:
Infections
* Various infections due to low immunity
* Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)- a section of the intestine develops restricted blood flow, which can lead to infection in the bowel wall
* Sepsis- bacteria in the blood stream
Respiratory/Lung Issues -
* Pneumonia- a lung infection
* Immature (underdeveloped) lungs
* Repiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) – harsh, irregular breathing and difficulties due to the lack of surfactant in the lungs, which helps avoid collapsing of the lungs
* Transient Tachypnea- rapid, shallow breathing
* Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)- deterioration of the lungs
* Apnea- absence of breathing
Eye Problems -
* Retinopathy of Prematurity(ROP)- eye disorder that can result in blindness
Other Complications -
* Incapability to sustain body heat
* Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)- bleeding in the brain…can lead to future complications such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning difficulties.
* Anemia- insufficient amount of red blood cells.
* Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)- a cardiac disorder that causes breathing difficulties after delivery due to an open blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus)
* Jaundice- a yellowing of the skin caused by the buildup of substances in the blood called bilirubin
* Immature gastrointestinal and digestive systems- gastrointestinal systems that are too immature to safely absorb nutrients
Possible long-term complications:
* Delayed growth and development
* Retinopathy of prematurity, vision loss, or blindness
* Mental or physical disability or delay
* Cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning difficulties may result from Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
* Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Premature baby twins often have to spend some time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to recover from the health complications listed above (or others). The professionals in the NICU will be able to provide you with a plethora of premature baby info and guide you through the entire process. The doctors and nurses working in the NICU deal with all kinds of preemie babies… premature babies born at 27 weeks, 32 weeks, etc. This can be a very stressful time for the twins, the mother and the support circle, so it is important to remain calm and relax in knowing that the trained staff of a NICU is equipped to deal with any situation that may arise.
Fortunately, “Overall, very premature twins fare just as well as single babies born very early, and they may even face a lower risk of certain complications, new research shows,” according to a Reuters Health article. Because premature birth is much more common among twins than single births, twin babies born premature often require special medical attention and love. Every situation is different, but it imperative for every expecting mother to receive proper pre-natal care as soon she knows she is expecting.
Jessica Ker, from www.healthcarecolleges.net, is a writer and educator. She has worked in the healthcare industry for 5 years and now spends her time educating parents and students in a variety of subject matters.
Posted by Guest on September 2, 2010
The news that your baby will be born prematurely may be incredibly difficult to cope with. The complications involved may overshadow the miracle of birth as your anxiety and stress reach terrifying heights concerning your child’s health. Although this situation can be worrisome, there are ways of to handle the premature of your baby that can give you and your family a brighter outlook for the future.
It is a common rule of thumb that the earlier a child is the born, the higher chance there is for complications. It is critical to your child’s survival and ongoing health to receive the proper care needed specifically for a premature baby. This would entail assistance with breathing and maintaining body heat. It is important to understand that feeding your preemie will be an obstacle to overcome. Jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and skin is a common ailment of premature children. Anemia, a lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissue, is also prevalent in children born prematurely. More critical maladies can include infection, internal bleeding and apnea. By educating yourself about these conditions, a parent can be more prepared to handle the problems a premature baby faces.
It is most likely that your child will be held in NICU, otherwise known as neonatal intensive care unit. This is a place particularly set aside to meet the unique needs of your premature child. Medical professionals are there to care for your babies every need and to help assist you with this difficult time. While your child is in NICU, it is your responsibility to maintain an active role as parent and to discuss your child’s needs with the medical staff.
Often, people fear what they don’t know. It is helpful to you and your child to learn as much as possible about your baby’s current condition. This not only helps reassure yourself, but also helps doctor in assisting you with your needs. By educating yourself, you no longer have to fear the unfamiliar equipment that occupies the NICU. Don’t be afraid of searching out answers, or asking questions. This is a situation in which the more you know, the better.
Although your child may be unable to feed from a bottle, or breast, it is a good idea to establish a routine of pumping milk for later on. Breast milk contains essential proteins that can help your premature baby fight infection and promote steady growth. Once your milk supply is established, it is important to pump at least eight times a day to maintain your flow of milk. Breast milk can always be stored, or frozen for later use at your convenience.
Learning to take care of a premature baby can seem like a daunting task. By initiating feeding and diaper changing in the early stages, it promotes healthy interactions between parent and child. Learn how to speak to your baby with sweet words. This can often be the key to getting your baby to sleep. The bonds established in the child’s youth will carry over into adulthood and it is critical to the baby’s development to have the love and care he needs.
When your baby is finally ready to come home, you may be experiencing a mixture of emotions: relief, worried, excited. Remember as you are taking care of your child to take care of yourself. Recognize your emotions and expect to feel a wide range of them. Don’t be shy about seeking out help when you need it, or taking a break for yourself. It is important to see this time as a positive step in the right direction. Your child can now leave the hospital and will be on its way to progressing as a healthy child at home where he belongs.
Sarah Danielson is a writer for Nursing School Scholarships where you can find jobs, scholarships, and nursing career descriptions.
Photo Credit: César Rincón, Flickr
We appreciate this month's PreemieTwins.com sponsor of
Gainsville AC service who helps us provide free resources for parents of premature infants and multiples.
