PREMATURITY: TREATMENT
Most premature babies require specialised care, usually within a newborn intensive care nursery, for up to several weeks after birth. The baby is nursed in a humidicrib and, depending on his condition, may require oxygen, intravenous infusion, tube feeding and careful monitoring. If your baby does need intensive care, your doctor will explain exactly what is going on.
Most premature babies have an excellent outcome. The smaller the baby and the more premature or ill he is around the time of birth, the higher the risks of him developing problems later. Careful follow-up is necessary until the child starts school. All neonatal intensive care units have follow-up programs for premature babies.
Having a premature baby can be very stressful for parents. Mixed with the joy of having a new child comes the fear of whether or not he will be all right. Seeing your newborn in a humidicrib, hooked up to tubes, can be a distressing experience.
Mothers who have had a Caesarian section may find it especially difficult to move around and visit their baby initially. It is important for parents to spend as much time as possible with their newborn, in order not to feel too distant from him. Talk to staff, who are experienced in these matters. They are generally sympathetic and encourage you to be involved in what is going on, and to touch your child as much as is practicable. Make sure that the staff do not overlook the central role you as parents play in the care of your child.
Treatment of premature babies is often a highly complex and specialised field, and you may at times feel overwhelmed by all the technology surrounding you and your baby. This is understandable, but remember also that there are human beings behind all this sophisticated gadgetry, and they are there to talk to you if you reach out to them also.
Apnoea is the term used when a newborn baby stops breathing for a short period of time, usually for more than 20 seconds. The baby may turn blue (cyanosis), and go limp, but usually starts breathing again as soon as he is stimulated by touch.
Apnoea occurs usually within the first 10 days and more often in premature babies. It is due to immaturity of the centre in the brain that controls breathing. Babies born at less than 34 weeks gestation are at risk of having at least one apnoeic spell within the first two weeks of life, and therefore require careful monitoring in a special care nursery.
Apnoeic attacks can also occur in babies who have a heart or lung problem, or who have an infection. Once the underlying condition is treated, the apnoeic attacks usually stop.
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