A premature birth is when the baby is delivered 3 weeks or more before the normal due date. In other words, it's the delivery of the baby at 37 weeks rather than the full 40 week pregnancy (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Having premature birth causes the premature development of the baby. This means that their vital organs which are necessary for sustainability and survivability are underdeveloped, therefore increasing the risk of respiratory distress for the neonates because they develop breathing disorders (Mayo Clinic, 2011). These premature babies are not able to secrete enough surfactant essential for breathing making it difficult for the babies to breathe properly (Thoracic Society). Since premature babies don't secrete enough surfactant, a substance that is necessary for the alveoli to overcome surface tension, this causes the alveoli to collapse at each breath making it difficult for gas exchange to happen (Trevino). When it collapses, surface area is lower making it more difficult to breathe. The baby then ends up “breathing harder and harder trying to make up for the collapsed airways” (Thoracic Society). She is …show more content…
According to the NHS, this can be temporarily done through administering a type of medication in their lungs called an artificial surfactant. The artificial surfactant is usually administered to the neonate through using a breathing tube (NHS, 2013). Since premature babies with NRDS aren't able to produce their own supply of surfactant, at least for now, then the artificial surfactant will be considered as a temporary remedy in restoring their normal lung function. Due to the nature of NRDS, premature babies will require the aid of the artificial surfactant ranging from a few days and even up to a few months, depending on the degree of their prematurity (NHS,
Uebel, P. (1999). A case study of antenatal distress and consequent neonatal respiratory distress. Neonatal Network. 18 (5). 67-70
The very low birth weight are newborns that weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams). Unfortunately, newborns that are under 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams) do not often survive, and the ones that do have delayed motor skills and cognitive development. The numbers decrease further to extremely low birth weight of 2.2 pounds (1,000 grams), where chance of life is very small. Low birth weight babies 1,500 grams – 2,500 grams (3.3 -5.5 pounds) have a good chance they will survive with proper care. Newborns that are small-for-date are placed in incubators that are sealed beds where temperature and air quality is regulated. The beds isolate the infants from pathogens and the environment. The babies need sensory stimulation to grow, so a recorded tape is played of the mothers soothing voice. Visual stimulation from video, and tactile stimulation helps foster physical and cognitive development in the baby. At five months while the fetus is in the womb ithas sensory capabilities, and can hear the mother’s heart beating, food digestion, speaking, and others speaking to her! The incubator stimulates this environment. There is great success with proper attention and care to the low birth weight babies, and. Many of the low birth weight babies are effects of parents that live in poverty, unable to access adequate medical care, and they experience stress due to an unhealthy family life.
Our culture has a stringent belief that creating new life if a beautiful process which should be cherished. Most often, the birth process is without complications and the results are a healthy active child. In retrospect, many individuals feel that there are circumstances that make it morally wrong to bring a child into the world. This is most often the case when reproduction results in the existence of another human being with a considerably reduced chance at a quality life. To delve even further into the topic, there are individuals that feel they have been morally wronged by the conception in itself. Wrongful conception is a topic of debate among many who question the ethical principles involved with the sanctity of human life. This paper will analyze the ethical dilemmas of human dignity, compassion, non-malfeasance, and social justice, as well the legal issues associated with wrongful conception.
Statistics show the impact that preemies are causing as the rate of preterm birth increases every day. Any part of the world is affected no matter how advanced they are in technology. “One of every eight infants born in the United States is premature babies” (Medline Plus). These statistics are extremely high, however people can change it by getting involved in the community and helping preemies have a less chance to lose in their battle for life. In 2003; 499,008 infants were born prematurely (National Center for Health Statistics). The rates of preterm births have increased over the years. "In 1995: 11.0% of live births were born preterm, In 2006: 12.8% of live births were born preterm"(March of Dimes-Peristats). As the numbers keep increasing, many families are suffering and losing hope for they’re babies. African American women have the highest rate of preterm birth in 2004 with a 17.6% (Reedy, 2007). These statistics demonstrate the high frequenc...
According to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, “In the United States, nearly thirteen percent of babies are born preterm, and many of these babies also have a low birth weight.” The baby may be put into the NICU for varies reasons. However, the most common reason that a child is put into the NICU is because he or she is premature. Premature means the baby was born before the 36 weeks. It is never good for a baby to be born early, as this could mean that the baby is not fully developed. There are other factors as to why a child may need to be put into the NICU after birth. For instance, birth defects can be the cause of why a baby is put into the NICU. A baby may be born with an infection such as herpes or chlamydia which can damage the newborns immune system at such a young age. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia can also cause an infant to be put into the NICU. Some maternal factors of why a baby may be put into the NICU is if the mother is “younger than 16 or older than 40.” If the parent may be an alcoholic or expose the baby to drugs, this can put the child into NICU care. If the parent has an STD or sexual transmitted disease, the baby is most likely going to have to be put into the intensive care unit. “Twins, triplets, and other multiples are often admitted into the NICU, as they tend to be born earlier and s...
Infants go through many changes in their first two years of life. All are very important and should be monitored, but the physical change in an infant is the most noticeable change. By the
We know that the human lung starts as a primitive lung bud in the early fetal life and then undergoes many different morphological processes that also continue in the postnatal life. Genetic, hormonal, physical, and environmental factors, as tightly regulated events, together with lung liquid, and fetal breathing movements form a complex that contributes to each stage. The 5 stages of structural lung development occur at progressive times during gestation. The timing of the phases is not exact set since we have disparity between fetuses.
This paper will then explain the types of physical symptoms associated with NAS in the full-term and premature infant. It discusses the different classes of drugs and the unique symptoms newborns experience with each. Furthermore, it discusses the long-term cognitive and behavioral effects that newborns can experience as they grow. In addition, this paper discusses how Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is diagnosed and the how the Finnegan neonatal scoring system is used to help physicians determine the severity of NAS in each newborn. Lastly, this paper explains the treatment for NAS and the important role of the nurse when caring for a newborn with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Premature birth is when an infant is born 37 weeks before appointed due date. Premature babies are not completely developed and not ready for the outside world. Cases of premature birth can either be slight and not noticeable or completely severe. My brother was born two months premature and had to stay in the hospital for a month attached to machines and IVs. My mother was not able to take her first child home and have a complete certainty that her newborn baby will even be alive. I chose this topic because I am very fortunate for having a strong and healthy eighteen year old brother, even though he was premature. I have gained a strong curiosity towards the effect of prematurity; how some are greatly affected and why some women go into labor premature. I want this research to let me know that I’m not taking my brother for granted. Due to my brother being premature, he is quite shorter compared to most people. My brother and I also have the same birthday. This allows us to pretend we are twins. His effect of being premature is not noticeable because he did not obtain a severe condition. With this research paper, I hope to gain knowledge and acknowledgment towards the people affected due to premature birth.
In the United States one in eight births are preterm (“Funding for Premature Related Research”).Premature means that the baby is born early, which is any baby born before thirty-seven weeks but health problems are usually only a problem for babies born before thirty-four weeks (“Funding for Premature Related Research”). Premature births are the leading cause for neonatal deaths and half of all premature births have no known causes (Lynch and Dezen). Babies who survive prematurity face multiple health problems including cerebral disease, vision and hearing loss, mental retardation, and lung problems (Lees, Reynolds,andMcCartan). Obviously with so many premature babies being born today, with so many unknown neonatal deaths in premature babies, and with all of the health problems for premature babies, there is a problem that must be addressed.The government needs to further fund research for the care and prevention of premature babies to prevent unnecessary death and health problems, cut costs in the long run, put previous findings into effect and reduce parental stress.
Pregnancy can be an exciting and sometimes frightening experience for many women. It was a snowy Sunday afternoon, and I was not feeling very well. I remember all week long, every morning I felt nauseated. I was craving odd foods, and foods I normally would not eat together. I was on the phone with my best friend explaining to her how I was feeling. She said “It sounds like you are pregnant.” That thought never even crossed my mind until that moment. Sure enough she was right, I was pregnant for the first time. I was excited to have a baby and never realized how many emotions or complications can take place during a pregnancy. Everybody that I knew that had babies, had such wonderful experiences. Unfortunately, this happy moment became such a monumental, emotional and stressful time in my life. During my pregnancy, I went through many emotional experiences from almost losing my child, to the uncertainty of a birth defect and early delivery.
My experience in the NICU taught me a great deal of information on the complex care of patients in the neonatal phase. Through this experience, I received exposure to medical conditions that I have not had a great deal of contact with in my previous clinical experiences, including: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, pulmonary hypertension, and coarctation of the aorta. Through working with my nurse, I gained knowledge about each of these diagnoses, how they were acquired, and what the treatment plan entailed. This experience also taught me the importance sticking to a schedule, acting quickly, and learning to recognize what the infant needs, as he or she is unable to verbalize their needs. Patients in the NICU cannot tell
A neonatologist has many tasks and responsibilities before, during, and after the birth of an at-risk newborn. If there is reason to believe there are going to be complications with a birth that would cause negative side effects for the infant, a neonatologist will be brought in to help. In these high-risk situations, a team effort is required and the neonatologist takes the lead position. The neonatologist will be responsible for advising the parents on what to expect during and after labor. After the infant is born, the neonatologist has to find a method to properly care for the baby. Because most premature babies have a low birth-weight, their lungs need to be supported and they need to be kept warm. During this whole process, the neonatologist interacts with the parents to keep them updated on their baby’s condition (Weaver, 2009).
Between five to ten percent of all infants are born more than two weeks before their due date due to several factors that include infections, illness, poor nutrition, or complications during the pregnancy. Fetal monitors are used in the cases of C-sections because there is a much higher risk of detecting the infant’s distress and therefore can go in more quickly to remove the baby from the uterus. When the mother is under general anesthesia, which is rare in the United States, the mother is not aware of any kind of pain or even the birth of her child. When the mother has spinal anesthesia she has no feeling from the waist down. Sometimes, the best indication that the baby is in distress is the mother- an unfamiliar pain occurs or something else could be a sign of problems.
Reddy, U. M., Zhang, J., Sun, L., Chen, Z., Raju, T. N., & Laughon, K. (2012). Neonatal mortality by attempted route of delivery in early preterm birth. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 207(2). doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.023