Preemie FAQ

A full-term baby is 38 to 40 weeks.  A preemie is any baby born less than 38 weeks in utero.  If a baby is born at least 24 weeks or more weeks into pregnancy, it has a good chance to survive.  Before 24 weeks, it does not.  

Is “five pounds” still important?  No, it used to be a rule that a baby less than five pounds was a preemie, but now we know babies come in all sizes.  For example, a diabetic baby can weight over five pounds, but still be premature.  How well they will do depends on their gestational age or maturity level.

The number one question parents ask is, “How long will my baby stay in the hospital”?

Every baby is different, but USUALLY they stay until the original due date.  For example, a baby born at 28-weeks will stay for 12 weeks, making him or her 40 weeks.

Before a baby goes home, they must:

Be stable without oxygen.

Be able to nipple feed at all their feedings.

Progressively gain weight.

Maintain their temperature without an additional heat source.

When a baby goes home also depends on why they came to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Babies may stay only a few days or up to a year.

No, most premature babies live.  The majority, 85%, of premature babies admitted to the NICU do survive (this does not include miscarriages).

 FACT:  Not all premature babies are sick.

Doctors do not know the exact cause, but they have made great strides in saving preemies and improving outcomes.  They have not decreased the number of preemies born.  In fact, the number born has increased.  Infertility drugs contribute to the increase in premature births because of the increase in multiple babies in a pregnancy.

Possible causes:

Mother had not had prenatal care. This is VERY important so that if problems are present, they can be detected.  Early detection increases good outcomes for both mother and baby.

Mother had high blood pressure or is sick for another reason.

Mother is a smoker, consumes alcohol, or abuses drugs.

Mother is very young, and her body is not ready to carry a baby full term.

Mother has an incompetent cervix.

FACT:  About half of all premature babies are born to teenage mothers who do not usually seek pre-natal care.  Many teens smoke and/or use drugs and their diet often consists of junk food which can cause a nutritional deficit for building a strong, healthy baby.

It cannot always be prevented, but the following suggestions make a big difference.

Eat vegetables.  It has been proven that three is an increase in severe defects from lack of folic acid in a diet.  Neurological defects include spina bifida and anencephalia (no brain).  Folic acid is in green leafy vegetables.  After the mother knows she is pregnant, it does the baby no good since the organs are already formed.  Folic acid must be present before pregnancy.

Do not smoke.  Stopping smoking when a mother finds out she is pregnant does not help.  Mothers with a history of smoking have a higher incidence of placenta previa (placenta implanted near or over the opening to the uterus – very dangerous).  Along with a history of smoking comes a higher incidence of cardiac anomalies, inter uterine growths, and cognitive disabilities and/or low birth weight for the baby.

Exercise builds muscles to support the baby.

Drugs taken during pregnancy also affect the baby, and after birth the baby goes into addiction withdrawal.  This is very painful for the baby and can last for over a month.

The most frequent problem is underdeveloped lungs.  If the mother takes steroids during pregnancy, the lungs will mature before birth, if the problem is diagnosed.  Prenatal care is essential!

With underdeveloped lungs the baby will need oxygen or a ventilator.

The second most frequent problem is a brain bleed due to the fragile veins.  This can cause many problems, including brain damage.

No, they do not. They grow up to be the size God created them to be and usually catch up to average size and weight by the time they start school.

The care staff consists of a neonatologist, nurses and other physicians depending upon they baby’s specific needs.  Other professionals such as surgeons, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, geneticists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, developmentalists, urologists, nephrologists, lactation specialists, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, cardiologists, infections disease doctors, thoracic surgeons, speech therapists, social workers, case management specialists, dieticians, chaplains, housekeepers, technicians to work on monitors, maintenance workers to maintain the equipment and hospital administrators.  

Speech therapists will help with feedings.  If a baby does not feed properly, they will not speak properly.

Breast is best!