The Survival of Premature Babies
At the time of the birth, all babies are classified according to the number of weeks that has been in gestation. It is considered a premature baby born before 37 weeks of gestation. If born at 37 to 42 weeks, be a baby to term. And if born after 42 weeks of gestation, it is classified as a post-mature baby. Today it is considered normal for a baby born shortly before or shortly after the estimated date, although the ideal is that the average length of pregnancy is 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstruation.
Formerly, a case of premature birth was a major cause of child deaths. There was no knowledge about who should care for babies born in these circumstances, and medical techniques were limited. At present, the survival of premature infants is a reality. Of all babies born, even at 28 weeks, 80% survive.
The appearance and development of a premature baby
Usually, premature babies often have some symptoms in common:
- Low birth weight is less than 2.5 kg.
- Smooth skin, slender, shiny, and almost translucent.
- Skin transparent, which can easily appreciate some veins.
- Ear cartilage soft and flexible.
- Presence of hairs (lanugo) on the body.
- Low body temperature.
- Rapid respiratory rate.
- Weak cry.
- Weak sucking and swallowing.
- In girls, enlarged clitoris.
- In children, small scrotum, smooth without ridges.
Which may indicate that pregnant women will have a premature baby?
There are some signs that could indicate a possible premature birth. If a pregnant woman note presents some of these symptoms, you should go to hospital urgently.
- 4 or more contractions in an hour before 37 weeks gestation.
- A discharge of fluid from the vagina may indicate premature rupture of the membranes surrounding the baby.
- Pelvic pressure or heavy feeling, the baby is out.
- Menstrual cramps or abdominal pain.
- Pain or rhythmic tension in the lower abdomen or back.
- Vaginal bleeding.
Full term is 280 days that counts. If a baby is born before that time, there will not be able to complete its entire development and go beyond the longer immature as he has failed to be fully developed. But that does not mean that the baby can not recover.
Premature babies
When speaking of an early delivery could not be interrupted by medical intervention, it creates the necessary measures to provide appropriate care to the baby and mother. The first thing you do is an immediate assessment of the baby. Usually, premature babies are unable to coordinate sucking and swallowing before 34 weeks of gestation. Depending on how premature the baby, you may not start breathing immediately after birth or that his respiratory effort is inadequate to chest expansion and oxygenation body, which must receive the support and assistance necessary to overcome this deficiency. When it comes to an extremely premature baby, you are given intravenous feeding.
