Premature babies, sometimes called preemies, are those born before the 37th week of gestation. Premature newborns require more care and often have more health issues than full-term babies. Often, the cause of premature birth can't be determined and may not be preventable, though factors such as a mother who smokes, has health issues or is under severe stress can contribute to premature delivery.
Delivery
Delivery of a premature infant is generally not as the mother envisioned her birth. If the mother has gone into premature labor, doctors may try to delay delivery as long as possible and administer medicines to help the baby's lung development to give the infant a better chance once he is born. For other women, medical problems may necessitate an early induction or Cesarean section delivery. Most premature infants need to spend some time in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, immediately after birth. Some may be there for weeks or months after being born.
Survival
According to KidsHealth.org from Nemours, premature babies weighing over 800 grams, or just under two pounds, have a survival rate of about 90 percent. Smaller preemies have lower survival rates and more chances of complications after birth. A mother's involvement with her newborn premature baby can significantly impact the chances of survival. Kangaroo care, described by the March of Dimes as holding the naked premature infant to the mother's bare chest with a blanket draped over the infant's bare back, can help the baby by regulating her heart rate, breathing and body temperature.
Feeding
Because premature newborns often have underdeveloped digestive systems, feeding can be difficult. Late premature babies, born in the 35th or 36th week of pregnancy, may be able to breastfeed or be fed using a bottle. Smaller preemies will likely need to be fed through a tube inserted into the stomach until the digestive system has matured. A mother who wishes to breastfeed can pump her milk so that this is the food given to the baby. Fortifiers such as calcium and phosphorus may need to be added to the breast milk or formula given to a preemie.
Care
Premature newborns in the NICU often are unable to experience the same level of parental involvement as full-term newborns. The mother may be unable to hold, cuddle, bathe or otherwise care for her baby, especially if the infant has major medical problems as a result of the premature birth. The NICU staff will generally explain the levels of contact that the baby can handle and mothers should make every effort to be available to their premature newborn, even if the only option is to lightly touch or stroke the baby within the incubator. Over time, as the infant grows stronger, more contact will be allowed and encouraged.
Postpartum Depression
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, mothers of premature babies may be prone to becoming depressed and can even develop postpartum depression. While the baby blues may occur even in mothers of full-term infants, the disappointment of a birth that did not go as planned combined with worry about the baby and the stress of having an infant in the NICU can all add to the likelihood that a mother may experience episodes of depression.
