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Good article in the Denver Post today (thanks Patrick for sharing)…
Michael Sierra – 4 weeks old, 2 1/2 pounds and swollen like an overstuffed sausage – needed attention. And he was getting it.
A defect was making his heart work overtime. Infection flowed through his blood, and a hole in his gut was spilling poison into his body.
He had survived a flight from the Rapid City, S.D., hospital where he was born to Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center. Now, he desperately needed surgery, but his doctors feared he was too sick to make one more trip, even from the neonatal intensive-care unit to an operating room a floor below.
So the operating room came to him.
Read the rest of the article here. The article instantly reminded me of the operating room having to come to Macy when she had NEC. Terrible memories.
In This Post:
Understanding Preterm Birth
Causes of Preterm Birth
- Multiple Pregnancies: Twins, triplets, or more.
- Infections: Maternal infections can trigger preterm labor.
- Chronic Conditions: Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Previous Preterm Birth: A history of preterm labor increases the risk.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, drug use, and stress can contribute.
Risk Factors
- Age: Women under 18 and over 35 are more at risk.
- Socioeconomic Status: Limited access to healthcare and nutrition.
- Substance Abuse: Drug or alcohol use during pregnancy.
- Lack of Prenatal Care: Regular check-ups are crucial.
The Preemie’s Journey
NICU Care
- Temperature Control: Preemies struggle with temperature regulation, so incubators are vital.
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of vital signs.
- Feeding Support: Many preemies can’t breastfeed initially, so they are given nutrients intravenously or through a tube.
- Respiratory Assistance: Some preemies need assistance with breathing, often via ventilators.
Developmental Milestones
- Breathing Independently: Preemies may initially require oxygen support.
- Feeding: Transitioning from tube feeding to breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
- Weight Gain: Slow but steady growth.
Nurturing Preemies at Home
Kangaroo Care
Feeding Strategies
- Breast Milk: Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for preemies.
- Supplemental Nutrients: In some cases, fortified breast milk or formula may be necessary.
Monitoring Development
