About this topic
Pregnancy most often lasts 40 weeks. Babies who are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are called preemies. If your doctor thinks you may deliver early, you may be given a drug called steroids. This may help the babys lungs mature faster. ‚
When a baby is born early, the baby may not be ready to live outside the womb. The organs may not be fully developed. A baby who is born early will need extra care. It may take a few weeks before the baby is allowed to go home. ‚
The earlier a baby is born, the more problems a baby may have. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Make sure you are at ease with how to hold, feed, and care for your baby. Ask your doctor if you have questions.
- Feed your baby 8 to 10 times a day. Do this every 3 to 4 hours. Breast milk is best, especially for premature babies. If your baby is very premature, your doctor will tell you ways on how to feed your baby.
- Let your baby get lots of sleep. Keep your baby safe when sleeping. Put your baby on his back to sleep. Do not put anything in the crib that will suffocate your baby. Put the crib in a safe place.
- Learn how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before your baby goes home. This training will help you know what to do if your baby stops breathing.
- Keep your home smoke-free. Keep your baby away from secondhand and thirdhand smoking. Anyone in your home who smokes should quit smoking.
- Wash your hands before and after you touch or hold your baby. Tell family and friends to wash their hands. Do not let people visit if they are sick or have other illnesses. Avoid crowded and public places. Your babys immune system is not yet fully developed and your baby can easily catch illnesses.
- Keep your baby warm in cold surroundings. Dress your baby in clothing that is right for the weather.
- Get your baby vaccinated. These shots will protect your baby from sickness.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your childs condition needs close monitoring. The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your child's progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Give extra vitamins and minerals
- Treat any problems your baby may have
What problems could happen?
Babies who are born early may have many problems. Some of them may not show up right away. These may include: ‚
- Heart or breathing problems like pneumonia, lung damage, blood pressure problems, pauses in breathing
- Brain problems like bleeding or fluid on the brain
- Problems with infection
- Problems with feeding or the bowels
- Trouble seeing or hearing
- Problems with muscles and growth like cerebral palsy, developmental delays, or behavior problems
- Long-term health problems
- Teeth problems
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) happens more often in babies born early rather than full-term babies. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry, crying too much, muscles become stiff, bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head, if you feel your child is too sleepy.
- Breathing is fast or your baby is working hard to breathe
- Lips or face turns blue or darker in color
- Baby's temperature has dropped
- Less than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours
- Belly button or circumcision is red and has drainage
- Yellowing of the skin does not go away by the fifth day
- Throwing up often
- Baby's vomit or stools are bloody
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child.
- I can tell you what I will do if my baby is breathing too fast, has lips that turn blue, has yellow skin, or has less than 3 wet diapers in a day.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/pregnancy-newborns/caring-for-newborns/infant-care/caring-for-your-premature-baby.html ‚
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/complicationspremature.htm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/growing/preemies.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚