When babies need SPECIAL CARE
REFLECTING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIAL CARE
Ivividly remember the shock when my 35-week twins needed admission to special care nursery (SCN). They were already over 2.5kg, and I assumed it meant they were healthy and ready to come home.
Even as a doctor, I wasn’t prepared for the guilt that raged when they put my womb buddies into separate humidicribs and inserted feeding tubes as they were too tired to suck on my breasts.
The next day, their jaundice levels spiked, and on went the blue UV light and gorgeous little eye patches, but this meant no holding them between feeds.
It was heartbreaking for a mum who usually ‘babywears’ my newborns all day. My pair were only admitted for one week, so I know many families have it much worse, but it made me realise how important it is to be informed about premature birth, especially when we are considering inducing labour prior to term.
Around 18 per cent of babies will need special care nursery or the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). That’s almost one in five babies! Eighty per cent of babies born before 37 weeks and 78 per cent of babies born with low birth weight (less than 2.5kg) require special care or NICU.
This is also the case in multiple births, with 69 per cent of twins and 99 per cent of triplets (or above) needing admission, usually due to premature delivery.
There are many causes for preterm birth, such as the mother having a maternal illness like severe pre-eclampsia (blood pressure issues) that is life-threatening to both her and her baby, or where the baby is not coping with the intrauterine environment (for example, growth restriction), or there is an emergency, like a placental abruption (placenta separates from the inner uterine wall).
In these cases, it is safer to deliver the baby. A seemingly healthy pregnancy can also result in labour starting spontaneously before 37 weeks.
There are several reasons for this, like premature rupture of membranes, a short cervix or an infection. Regardless, the time in hospital is tough, and I feel people need to share their experience to arm those
‘I WASN’T PREPARED FOR THE GUILT THAT RAGED’
in the future with knowledge.
Preterm babies can have lifelong concerns with cognitive impairment, hearing and visual impairment, motor concerns like cerebral palsy and as adults, an increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Naturally, the earlier the birth, the greater the risk, but even babies born between 34 and 36 weeks – considered late preterm
– can have learning difficulties, increased risk of behavioural and emotional problems, and a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
As a mum of six and a mother of premature babies, I needed to know these facts. While it’s hard to hear, I will look out for signs in my children and get early intervention if needed.
See your doctor if you have any concerns.
While it might be tough watching your babies in hospital, it also means the long-term outcomes will be optimised and these risks reduced. So try to use the time for rest and preparation for the sleepless nights to come.