Premature Babies

Once Oliver was born he lived in the special care baby unit, this is a secure unit caring for babies who have special needs.The babies are cared for by a dedicated team of professionals especially trained in neonatal health.

Premature babies chances of survival depends on many factors, like their gestation age (weeks of pregnancy), whether their lungs are sufficiently developed, whether they have any illnesses or abnormalities. Oliver's chances at 30 weeks of pregnancy were good. This was because of his gestation age and because he had no abnormalities. He experienced no problems with his lungs because he had steroids to help their development while he was still in the womb.

One of the first things we were asked is whether we would be happy for Oliver to have Vitamin K to prevent a haemorrhage. We learnt subsequently some controversy exists over Vitamin K and how it is given. Recently a the ability to give Vitamin K orally has been developed although how widespread acceptance of this we do not know, we were not given a choice how this be administered. The problem with Vitamin K is that it cannot get to the baby in the womb via the placenta so the first opportunity is after the baby is born.

Oliver was surrounded by a lot of equipment once he was in SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit), to give staff information on how he was.Oliver Photo Gallery Day 2, Wider view on CPAP He had a heart monitor, which displayed his heart rate the pattern. A pulse oximeter which measures the oxygen saturation in the blood. If you look at picture you can see the light which is attached to Oliver's foot Oliver's Photo Gallery, Day 2 on vent' . The level is then displayed on the monitor. His breathing rate and pattern is also on the monitor. A blood pressure cuff was placed around Oliver's arm and this was monitored regularly.

Oliver's temperature was monitored by having a small coated wire on his skin covered by an adhesive patch which regulated the amount of heat from the overhead heater. See photo Oliver's Story Day 1 Photo. Oliver had an umbilical catheter, Which is a small piece of tube treated into the babies artery or vein, in the umbilical stump. It gave him his nutrition fluid's and any medication. Blood can also be taken from here painlessly.

Endotracheal Tube
This is a tube which went from Oliver's nose to his wind pipe, it delivers oxygen directly to Oliver's lungs. This is used in the to help the baby breath and is quite normal for premature babies. Due to the beneficial effect the steroid's had on Oliver on the second day he went onto CPAP.

CPAP
Oliver was on this continues positive airway pressure for a short time. This is oxygen delivered under a small amount of pressure, through tubes that fit into the nostril , it delivers oxygen to help keep the air sacs open. You can see a picture of Oliver with CPAP Oliver's Photo Gallery, Day 2 on CPAP (use your browser's "back" function to return to this page.

The SCBU can be a overwhelming place the first time you see it, especially if it is you own baby that is wired up to the various pieces of equipment. Take the time to learn what each bit of equipment does so you understand why your baby is connected to so much equipment. Once you understand what each bit does it becomes a lot easier to accept what is going on.

Try and visit your baby as often and as long as you can, if you are allowed day and night, it is a very important time to the parents and the baby. Whilst the staff are excellent at the job they do they have other duties so cannot be with the baby 100% of the time. Whilst you can only do a limited amount you ensure you child is comfortable and be there when he / she is awake. Be careful not to play disturb the baby just because you are there after all it has been born early and needs as much time to develop as possible.

Be wary of how you communicate with your child, we found light feathery touches annoyed Oliver and a firm positive touch let him know we were there. Letting your child hold you finger seemed to comfort Oliver, the only problem is when you let go! Try and avoid loud noises which is sometimes difficult in SCBU and bright lights, like flash lights on camera's if you can always take the picture with the flash off. Talking to Oliver seemed to help, he knew who is mum and dad were. We purchased a tape player and play back some of the songs he liked whilst he still was inside the womb. Other parents have recorded their voices so the staff can play the tape back when the child is upset and you are not there. Anything that helps you be around the baby helps the child as they have come out of the nice and cosy womb to the noise and bustle of the SCBU, not an easy change to make.

For you the parents make sure you are involved in the SCBU, this sounds like an obvious statement but when it comes down to it the nurses care for you child because of its specials needs. As soon as you can (if the nurses let you) start to change nappies (diapers for you US folk) and start feeding you will soon concentrate on your child and not worry so much about the SCBU.

In the Internet Resources section you will find many links to other areas on the net which give advice and information on premature babies.

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Updated November 10, 2002 12:32