Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Dear Stella Rose,
Dr. Kerlin scheduled the NICU nurse to come talk with mama and papa and answer any questions. She explained the difference in the risk of delivering a baby at 26 weeks vs. 28 weeks. It's amazing how much more you develop in just 2 weeks!
She said that at 26 weeks delivery, there is a 50% chance of having a major neurological disorder. At 28 weeks the risk drops to 10%! Then, once you reach 33 weeks there is no risk. At this point, you were at 28 weeks and 3 days, so mama and papa felt very hopeful!
She also said that babies who are born at 33 weeks, although they are fully developed, they usually have trouble eating and breathing just because those organs aren't fully mature. In those cases, babies usually need to be on a respirator and need a tube for feeding, but will still grow to be healthy babies.
The Celestone shot helps develop your lungs in case of preterm birth, and since mama was getting the second round of doses, the NICU nurse said that was great. Some babies are born prematurely before the mom even has a chance to get the shot.
Premature babies usually are on a respirator to help with breathing because with the lungs not having the chance to mature fully in the womb, when babies are born early they lack surfactant. Surfactant is what helps keep the baby's alveoli open, and without it, the lungs collapse and the baby can't breathe. The NICU nurse assured mama and papa that there is artificial surfactant that they can give to babies until they can develop it on their own.
Mama and papa felt much better after speaking with the NICU nurse and understanding more of what was happening. It made them feel relieved that God had given the healthcare team taking care of you and mama the wisdom to care for you both!
Love,
Mama & Papa
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