The future of neo natal care

TomStockholm · 22nd October 2003, 02:42 AM

I am the proud father of a 3 year old (healthy) boy. He was born very prematurely in the 25th week, weighing 680 grams.

Being in this position as a father made me very quickly learn the rudiments of neo natal care, and I was very impressed by what they could do to save my son's life.

Nobody seemed to be able to answer these questions though (although admittedly at the time I probably wasn't in the greatest frame of mind to register their answers, so I may be wrong).

Why was my son born so prematurely? My (now ex) wife had earlier borne a child in the 28th week who died, but has also two other children who were born after a full pregnancy. Is it possibly genetic, or is there any research out there showing other reasons why children are born so early?

Why exactly are twins more likely to be born prematurely? I know they are smaller and all that, but that seems to me to be a reason for them to want to hang on in their a little bit longer so to speak. Does one of the twins somehow try and force the other out or something?

I am also interested in what the future holds in this area. What are the possibilities of building some kind of heart and lung machine that could save even more premature children? Is it hindered because of technological reasons or is it to do with ethics?

How early could you reasonably expect to save premature kids in the future?

Thanks

Tom

Flame · 22nd October 2003, 03:31 AM

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/preemie-list/

This site was a lifeline for me during the weeks my son was still in hospital and even helpful in retrospect when my 30 weeker daughter was already 2.

Hope you get some info there.

Toni

TomStockholm · 22nd October 2003, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flame
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/preemie-list/

This site was a lifeline for me during the weeks my son was still in hospital and even helpful in retrospect when my 30 weeker daughter was already 2.

Hope you get some info there.

Toni

Thanks for the link. I will join and see what is there. I have been on similar sites here in Sweden but they were more geared to support rather than the scientific element behind it.

I gather from what you wrote that you have two premature kids. Am I correct?

I thought going through this once was bad enough, it must have been absolutely awful for you...

Did you get any explanation as to why you bore two children prematurely?

Tom

Flame · 22nd October 2003, 03:45 AM

We have four children. two full termers, although with Nick I started contracting at 31 weeks and was hospitalised until the end.

Anna was born at 30 weeks due to PROM
(preterm rupture of membranes) and James was born at 32+ weeks for the same reason.
There is no information as to why this happened. I smoked cigarettes while pregnant with Anna, but hadn't for 2 years when having James.

On that site there is a lot of 'support' and 'introduction' type threads. There are also doctors, nurses and very educated parents who will and have already answered many technical questions.
I have found it to be quite informative regarding high risk pregnancy, NICU issues and even many issues that can arise later in preemie life.

My two preemies born 1400gm and 4lbs 15 oz (yes he was huge and dates were correct)
are grand now and seem to have no issues but we did deal with apnea of prematurity with James up until a few months ago.

Toni

22nd October 2003, 02:42 AM	#1
TomStockholm Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 205	The future of neo natal care I am the proud father of a 3 year old (healthy) boy. He was born very prematurely in the 25th week, weighing 680 grams. Being in this position as a father made me very quickly learn the rudiments of neo natal care, and I was very impressed by what they could do to save my son's life. Nobody seemed to be able to answer these questions though (although admittedly at the time I probably wasn't in the greatest frame of mind to register their answers, so I may be wrong). Why was my son born so prematurely? My (now ex) wife had earlier borne a child in the 28th week who died, but has also two other children who were born after a full pregnancy. Is it possibly genetic, or is there any research out there showing other reasons why children are born so early? Why exactly are twins more likely to be born prematurely? I know they are smaller and all that, but that seems to me to be a reason for them to want to hang on in their a little bit longer so to speak. Does one of the twins somehow try and force the other out or something? I am also interested in what the future holds in this area. What are the possibilities of building some kind of heart and lung machine that could save even more premature children? Is it hindered because of technological reasons or is it to do with ethics? How early could you reasonably expect to save premature kids in the future? Thanks Tom
TomStockholm Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 205

22nd October 2003, 03:31 AM	#2
Flame Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 584	http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/preemie-list/ This site was a lifeline for me during the weeks my son was still in hospital and even helpful in retrospect when my 30 weeker daughter was already 2. Hope you get some info there. Toni
Flame Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 584	__________________ 'And God said, Let us make man in our own image, but woe many came out like Spitting Image' - The Bible According to Spike Milligan

22nd October 2003, 03:40 AM	#3
TomStockholm Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 205	Quote: Originally posted by Flame http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/preemie-list/ This site was a lifeline for me during the weeks my son was still in hospital and even helpful in retrospect when my 30 weeker daughter was already 2. Hope you get some info there. Toni Thanks for the link. I will join and see what is there. I have been on similar sites here in Sweden but they were more geared to support rather than the scientific element behind it. I gather from what you wrote that you have two premature kids. Am I correct? I thought going through this once was bad enough, it must have been absolutely awful for you... Did you get any explanation as to why you bore two children prematurely? Tom
TomStockholm Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 205

22nd October 2003, 03:45 AM	#4
Flame Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 584	We have four children. two full termers, although with Nick I started contracting at 31 weeks and was hospitalised until the end. Anna was born at 30 weeks due to PROM (preterm rupture of membranes) and James was born at 32+ weeks for the same reason. There is no information as to why this happened. I smoked cigarettes while pregnant with Anna, but hadn't for 2 years when having James. On that site there is a lot of 'support' and 'introduction' type threads. There are also doctors, nurses and very educated parents who will and have already answered many technical questions. I have found it to be quite informative regarding high risk pregnancy, NICU issues and even many issues that can arise later in preemie life. My two preemies born 1400gm and 4lbs 15 oz (yes he was huge and dates were correct) are grand now and seem to have no issues but we did deal with apnea of prematurity with James up until a few months ago. Toni
Flame Muse Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 584	__________________ 'And God said, Let us make man in our own image, but woe many came out like Spitting Image' - The Bible According to Spike Milligan