The Big Care For Your Little One… By: Chelsea Belt

What is Premature Birth? A premature birth is a birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby due date, in other words, less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, which usually lasts about 40 weeks. Late preterm, born between 34 and 37 weeks of pregnancy Very preterm, born less than 32 weeks of pregnancy Extremely preterm, born less than 25 weeks of pregnancy Most premature births occur in the late preterm stage.

What is the Cause? Medical RiskLifestyle Risk Recurring bladder or kidney infections UTI, Vaginal infection, and STD Underweight or overweight before pregnancy Clotting disorder Being pregnant with a single fetus in vitro fertilization Short time between pregnancies Little or no prenatal care Smoking Drinking alcohol Using illegal drugs Lack of social support High levels of stress Low income Long working hours with long periods of standing

Test… Test 1:Test 2: It’s called Fetal Fibronectin (fFN), which test a protein in the vagina only presented in uterine contractions. If negative unlikely to go into preterm labor, if positive there is a risk, but there will be steps to help prevent a preterm birth. Is for cervical length, the cervix is measured for shortening or opening. If this is to occur you will be put on bed rest or your cervix will be stitched closed which is called cerclage.

Preventions…. Eliminate the bad Watch your weight Take your parental vitamins Eat well Eat often Drink up Be good to your gums Go when you have to Treat it Explore your options Test for it

….The background The age at which they can survive has dropped by about one week for every decade in the past 40 years. The UK did a research called EPICure which showed a percentage of babies whom was born and survived to leave the hospital: born between 22 to 23 weeks 1% born between 23 to 24 weeks 11% born between 24 to 25 weeks 26% born between 25 to 26 weeks 44%

WHAT TO DO IF PREMATURE BIRTH HAPPENS…

At the Hospital… All babies are their own individual Find out about your preemie’s condition Share your observations and concerns Establish your milk supply (if breast feeding) Spend time with your baby

Bringing Home Baby… Learn to participate in your baby care Do Kangaroo Care which is very comforting If you need extra help at home, you can have a nurse specialist to come visit

… Con’t The most important thing you can do is breastfeed your baby to build up baby health Protect baby from noise and light Learn how your baby likes to be handled As you spend more time with your baby you will understand how to meet his or her needs

Solution… Created a journal for mother to take notes of how the baby is progressing and for keep sake Some information for them to look back on if they feel they need any help or not sure on what to do

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