What Is Premature Labour?
A normal pregnancy is described to be within 38-42 weeks. Babies born at 37 weeks and before are premature babies and are in need of special care. Especially the severely premature babies born before 32 weeks constitute the actual risk group. Nowadays it is of value to have a conscious pregnancy as with the rise of assisted reproductive techniques there is a rise in multiple births and in parallel to that in premature babies.
How Should First Care be for Premature Babies?
The baby lives in the mother’s womb in a stable temperature, sterile, less noisy compared to the outside world, a dark, safe environment. With birth, the baby comes in a much different temperature, not sterile, noisy, very bright and unsafe environment. The babies that are born on time are provided a safe and warm environment by being dried, dressed up and handed to their mothers’ chests. The baby adapts to this new environment quickly. But the babies that are born before their due date are exposed to many procedures and thus are distanced from their mother’s safe environment. They struggle to adapt to the new environment as some of their systems are underdeveloped due to premature birth. These babies are taken care of in incubators which is an environment similar to a mother’s womb. The incubator is heated in ideal temperatures for the baby, the moisture is provided in the required levels to prevent temperature loss. The baby is provided a more sterile environment by being kept away from the outer environment and being ventilated with air processed through special filters. In the incubator, the amount of oxygen adjusted to the baby’s needs can be given to the baby. An isolated environment where the noise is minimised is provided for the baby. A dark environment is provided when needed by covering the incubator. Thus, in this environment which resembles the mother’s womb, all of the care and treatment is provided to the baby in the least harmful way.
In their time in intensive care units, respiratory distress due to underdeveloped lungs, respiratory arrest, problems in preserving the temperature, infections, nutritional issues, hypoglycaemia, jaundice, cerebral haemorrhage, anaemia, bowel gangrene, issues called premature retinopathy which can even lead to blindness can be seen in babies. Their treatments are done for these problems. The babies that stay in intensive care units for a long time, get over their success issues, can be breastfed, and that do not need respiratory support are discharged. Premature babies’ discharge from the hospital does not mean that all of their problems are over. Care is needed after they are sent home as well. Special care is needed for both the baby has stayed in intensive care and lacks factors regarding the immune system. The immune system is passed to the baby from the mother during the last months of the pregnancy. But because they are born early, these babies fall short of their immune system and they are more vulnerable against infections. Because of that, hand hygiene holds primary importance when handling these babies. These babies shouldn’t be put in too crowded environments. In the meantime, the protection should not be exaggerated. Keeping the baby locked inside the home is not recommended as well. It is especially important to take them out to the sun and fresh air during warm temperatures.
How Long is the Period Needed to Be Careful for Premature Babies?
Premature babies are usually discharged when they are 34-35 weeks old. In premature babies, there can be respiratory arrests which are called apneas as their respiratory system is not fully developed until 40-45 weeks. Because of that, mattresses for apneas at home are recommended for babies with risk. Babies start to form their defence systems usually around 6-7 months. They require special care for the first 6-7 months, up to the first one year regarding infections.
How Should Nutrition Be for Premature Babies?
Getting early and accurate nutritional support after discharge is significant for premature babies’ long-term growth and development. The most ideal nutrition is breast milk. It is preferred to feed the babies with breast milk if it is sufficient. However, since premature babies have more nutritional requirements breast milk is supported with breast milk boosters when necessary, according to the monitoring of the baby’s weight gain. If the breast milk is not enough special formula milks are used for premature babies.
