Every woman goes into her pregnancy with her own mental image of what her perfect pregnancy experience will be. While the ideal scenario is different for every mother, each ends in the delivery of a happy, healthy, full-term baby.
Sometimes, though, this is not the case. Complications can arise that might result in your baby being delivered before his due date. This can be a frightening time for a new parent or even someone who has been down this road before. However, knowing a little bit about what to expect when dealing with the premature birth of a baby can help to ease the worries and strain a bit.
At the Birth of a Premature Baby
When a premature baby is born, the physical birth process doesn’t change very much, but the number of people involved will increase. In the case of a natural birth, in addition to the normal staff of an obstetrician and a few nurses, you will also have a neonatologist and possibly a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team, if the hospital has a NICU unit. These same specialists will attend a premature caesarean birth, as well. In many cases, the obstetrician may choose to deliver the baby through a caesarean, as it is easier to control the conditions of the birth. In either case, there will be intensive monitoring of the baby’s vital signs throughout the birth and immediately after. Once the baby is delivered, you may not get a chance to hold or even see your baby right away, as he or she will need to be evaluated and stabilised as quickly as possible.
After Delivery of a Premature Baby
Premature babies can look quite different from full term babies, depending on their age at birth. They will be smaller and more fragile, with little or no body fat. Their skin is usually very thin and may have a reddish colour until the skin begins to develop more fully. The thin skin and lack of body fat make it difficult for premature babies to maintain the proper body temperature, so they will be kept in an incubator to do that work for them. This separation will also help to protect them from germs that their immature immune systems are not prepared to fight.
When you see your baby in the NICU, you might be taken aback by the number of tubes, machines and monitors that are attached to such a tiny little person. While these might be intimidating and frightening to a parent, these machines are essential to the baby’s survival. Most premature babies born before 36 weeks have lungs that are not developed enough to allow them to breathe on their own, so a ventilator will likely be necessary. In addition, younger premature babies have not yet developed the ability to suck, so they may also need to have a feeding tube in their nose or mouth. Additional medical equipment may be necessary, depending on the individual condition of your baby, which the nurses and doctors caring for your newborn will explain to you in depth.
Parenting From the NICU
You might feel at a loss as to how you can begin to parent this tiny person, who is in need of so much extra care. However, your involvement with your baby will help him or her to grow and thrive. The nurses and doctors in the NICU will let you know what you can and cannot do in regards to touching and holding your baby. Be sure to take a hands-on approach wherever possible to help you develop the bond between mother and child that is so important.
If you can breastfeed your baby, do so as much as possible. If your baby was born too young to breastfeed properly, pump milk that can be fed to your baby through the feeding tube. Breast milk is the best food for all babies as it helps them build up immunities and prevent illnesses in the future. Touch, hold and rock your baby as much as is permitted. Skin to skin contact can work wonders to promote bonding while keeping the baby safe and warm, using your body heat.
Usually a premature baby will remain in the hospital until around his or her natural due date, so the NICU may be your home away from home for many weeks or even months. These may be some of the most difficult days of your life, but when your baby has developed enough and gained enough weight to go home, the long days and nights will be well worth it. Though not every premature baby has the perfect outcome, medical developments in recent years have given these tiny blessings a fighting chance at a happy, normal life.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on premature birth, take a look at the following books:
Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies
Everything You Need to Know About Your Premature Baby from Birth to Age One
The Preemie Parents’ Companion: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Premature Baby
Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child: The Emotional Journey
Your Premature Baby: The First Five Years
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