Being a mother is one of the biggest, if not the biggest achievement for a woman in her life. Right form the time she conceives to the moment she pushes the little bundle of joy out of her womb bearing the intolerable pain, a mother is ordained to live every phase and moment her baby has to live, be it staying in the hospital for her premature baby all day and night.
All expectant women know that a full term pregnancy comprises of 40 weeks. During each of these weeks, complex developments occur in a baby, right from the development of their lungs, heart, brain, eyes and every other body part. This makes it very important for a baby to complete the entire 40 weeks pregnancy period to ensure the birth of a healthy baby. But many a times, some babies are born before the 40 week period. Babies who are born before 37 weeks are medically termed as premature babies. So what happens to these babies that arrive early? Do these babies have any complications? Do they grow up to be perfectly healthy? Well, let’s take a look at 7 amazing facts about premature babies that no mom is prepared about.
#FACT 1: A PREMATURE BABY SHOULD BE 4 POUNDS TO LEAVE THE INCUBATOR
Premature babies are extremely fragile, including their skin and also body mass which can cause certain complications for your baby. A premature baby must weigh a minimum of 4 pounds so that it can efficiently maintain the body’s overall temperature. And this is one of the main reasons why a premature baby is tucked inside an incubator to help its body maintain the body temperature and enhance growth. Once the baby reaches the 4 pound weight, its body begins to function by itself and improves faster.
#FACT 2: HIGHLY PRONE TO INFANT RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME
RDS is a condition caused due to the immature development of the lungs in a premature baby. RDS is believed to be one of the most common causes of death in the first month of life of a new-born baby.
In premature babies that are born almost 6 weeks before their due dates, RDS develops in the first 24 hours of their birth. These symptoms include, shallow or rapid breathing. Medications can help open the lungs, support breathing and begin the oxygen therapy in the baby.
#FACT 3: MOTHER’S MILK HELPS RECOVER A PREEMIE BEST
Mother’s milk is the most potent food for a baby. It is specially formulated in a mother’s body for her little baby. It includes fat, minerals, protein, and almost everything that a new-born baby needs to grow. However, a premature baby does not have a sucking reflex and cannot latch easily to a mother’s nipple or the bottle.
#FACT 4: PREMATURE BABIES ARE HIGHLY BLESSED INTELLECTUALLY
If you thought that premature babies are weak and lack on certain fronts, well you surely need to read this. Premature babies may have certain complications in their initial days, but as they grow, they achieve things that even normal born babies can’t. Some of the most famous people in the history of the world were born premature. These people include Napoleon Bonaparte, Victor Hugo, Mark Twain, Sidney Poitier, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, Pablo Picasso, Stevie Wonder and many more.
#FACT 5: THERE IS NO ONE GIVEN REASON WHY A WOMAN GOES INTO EARLY LABOR
When we face a problem, it is our human nature to look for the reason that caused it. Well, why a woman goes into early labor is a question that has no one answer. So, instead of trying to learn about the reason, it is best that we focus on the newborn premature baby and prepare to help it grow into a healthy person tomorrow.
#FACT 6: WOMEN OVER 35 ARE MORE PRONE TO HAVE PREMATURE BABIES
Yes, our body has its own biological clock which we should respect. And there is a reason for it. A younger body has a faster revival property which slowly fades away with age. Conceiving and birthing have a great impact on a woman’s body. So when a younger woman gives birth, her body gets back to its previous state faster compared to a woman who is much elder in age. And based on studies, it is rightly proved that a woman aged above 35 is at a higher risk of birthing premature babies.
