When you book one of our newborn specialists or baby nurses, we automatically build in a "10-day early" possibility. If you have had other children born early, or have a high-risk pregnancy, we assign a back-up person who will cover you until your original person is available. you know, it is impossible to predict ahead of time if a baby will be premature. As your pregnancy advances, your physician or midwife will give you updates on your progress.

A baby is considered full term if it is born at 38 weeks in gestation or more. Babies born between 35 and 38 weeks may have some breathing or feeding problems but can be cared for by the hospital’s experienced staff. If you are in preterm labor (labor before 35 weeks of your pregnancy) your doctor may recommend that you be transferred to a larger center in case more care is needed for your baby. See similar questions...

Last year, about 4 million babies were born in the United States. Of these, one in ten — 400,000 — will need neonatal care of some sort (for prematurity, birth defects, infections, etc.) Slightly more than this percentage will be born premature. Thus there is a one in ten chance that your pregnancy will end before the complete forty weeks of gestation nature intended, and a similar probability that a baby will need neonatal intervention of some sort. See similar questions...

The body manufactures specialised proteins called antibodies to fight off infections. Mothers transfer these protective antibodies to their babies through the placenta, during the last 3 months of the pregnancy. This process is interrupted when a baby is born early. For this reason premature babies are especially vulnerable to infection. The good news is that mothers also give their babies antibodies in breast milk. Breastfeeding your baby provides an extra line of defence against infection. See similar questions...

Thomas' early birth was due to a placenta abruption. A placenta occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus (Thomas' placenta was separated approximately 75%). When this occurs, a woman's body tends to deliver the baby in order to protect the mother and the baby. The reason for the abruption is unconfirmed, although it is suspected it may have been related to the shape of my wife’s uterus and where the placenta was attached. See similar questions...

Talk to your doctor about your desire to store your child's cord blood. Make sure your have completed all of your prenatal testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis. Complete and send your registration forms. When you receive your kit, read over all the material and pack it in your suitcase, keeping it at room temperature to take to the hospital. Top See similar questions...

The doctor will determine if the baby can have a bris. While there may be other health concerns, most parents want to know how much the baby should weigh before he can have a bris. While there is no minimum weight, many doctors prefer that the baby's weight be at least five pounds. I have done many brisses on babies under five pounds but it depends on the doctor and the comfort level of the parents. See similar questions...

In some instances, preeclampsia does not show up until during the delivery, or up to two weeks post-partum. While this is less dangerous for the baby, it is actually the most critical time for the mother. Any of the above signs and symptoms should be cause for concern, and the mother should immediately contact her health care provider. See similar questions...

There is no kind of testing that you can do to see if your unborn child will have Hirschsprung's Disease that I personally know of at this time. However I did hear that they are working on a way to do some testing, but I really don't know anything about it. There is testing that you can have done a few days after the baby is born. Usually there has to be a reason for them to do any tests. See similar questions...

Breastmilk is especially important for premature babies, who need it to help their brains and eyes develop, as well as to prevent infections. However, a very early baby may have a hard time learning to suckle. If your baby was born before 34 weeks (6 weeks early), she will need to be fed in the hospital by a special feeding tube. In this case, you should pump as soon as possible, at least 8 times a day, to establish your milk supply, and maintain it until your baby is big enough to suckle. See similar questions...

Our mission is to only help only those children who are diagnosed with a birth defect or disease. Premature babies can have long-term health problems -- developmental, medical and other issues evolve as preemies grow up. Some of these issues resolve and others arise as children age and face new challenges. Some of these diagnoses may qualify for assistance, but prematurity alone is not covered by Carolina Children’s Charity. See similar questions...

Many factors determine an individual baby’s chances of survival. The most important of these are: In the smallest infants, gestational age is usually most important because it determines if the infant’s organs, particularly the lungs, have developed enough to allow the baby to live within the limits of our current technology. See similar questions...

For any infant, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT AHEAD OF TIME THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SIGNIFICANT HANDICAP (moderate or severe mental retardation, inability to walk without assistance, blindness or deafness). However, some factors increase the RISK of these handicaps: Extreme prematurity, especially infants of 24 weeks of gestation at birth or less. At these stage of development the risk of disability is about 50%. See similar questions...

Check my availability page or email me to find out if I am free to contract for your due date. I try to firm-up my obligations for births 60-90 days in advance. Once the contract is signed, it guarantees the availability of me or my back-up over a three to four week window mutually agreed upon by myself and the client based on her due date, medical history, number of pregnancies and births. See similar questions...

with a newborn any of the ring slings, pouch slings or wraparound slings can be used with a premature baby. A stretchy wrap is great for being able to carry them against your body and provide skin to skin contact which is very beneficial for premature babies. Wraparound slings are a good buy as they are perfect for newborns but are still good for carrying older heavier babies. See similar questions...

Premature babies are transferred to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU, pronounced "nick-you"), which is an intensive care unit especially designed for newborns. Because preemies don't have the body fat to maintain their own warmth, they are placed in an incubator or radiant warmer. An incubator completely surrounds a baby, while a radiant warmer is a warmed bed open to the air. See similar questions...

With The Midwives & Associates, women give birth on the Labor and Delivery Unit of Lehigh Valley Hospital. Free of continuous monitors and intravenous lines, women in labor are encouraged to walk and rock, to eat and drink and to soak in a warm bath. Partners are encouraged to participate in labor support and birth processes. Healthy babies are placed on the mother’s belly immediately following birth to promote family bonding. See similar questions...