Premature Birth - Relieving a Mother's Guilt

by Linda Dague

Parents begin the journey of pregnancy with excitement, anxiety, and denial that anything bad could happen to their baby. For parents the experience of having a preterm infant the emotional roller coaster that ensues can be long and toiling. Many mothers first reaction is "what did I do to cause this"?

There are many causes of preterm delivery. Sometimes preterm birth can be caused by the mother's lifestyle choices during the pregnancy such as drugs, alcohol, poor diet, poor prenatal care, smoking, and physical stress. However, most incidences of preterm birth are not caused by the mother's lack of care to herself or her unborn child. This can include a hormone imbalance, an infection, chronic illness, an abnormality of the uterus, or any number of problems. The research though, does indicate a higher percentage of premature births to women over 35, under 19, and carrying multiple fetuses. Statistics show certain regions of the United States have a higher percentage of premature births then other states, for which the cause in unknown. The medical community has struggled to determine exactly what causes preterm birth. With the help and donations to organizations such as the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com), the search continues.

Premature infants have different and more critical needs than a full term infant. They lack the body fat to maintain their body temperature. As temperature control is vital to their survival, they will be placed in an incubator to keep them warm. This decreases the chance of infection and limits water loss. Premature infants also have high-energy requirements because of their greater growth rate. Heat loss from the skin raises this energy need. They may have a yellow skin tone and eyes (jaundice) and fewer red blood cells to carry precious oxygen to the tissues (anemia).

They may have feeding problems and irregular breathing (apnea). As their skin is rice paper thin, you can see the blood veins. This is why their sensitivity is manifested and careful control of what lays against their skin must be very soft and comforting. The infant may have to spend weeks or sometimes months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

With the proper medical support and growth, the infant will normally be able to function on its own. Before being discharged from the NICU the infant must be able to maintain their body temperature in an open crib, take all feedings from a bottle or breast without supplemental tubing, and be steadily gaining weight. Some infants though, will be discharged from the hospital requiring the continued use of a heart monitor and/or oxygen.

According to the March of Dimes Peristats (http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/pdflib/195/99.pdf) over 9,596 babies are born preterm every week.

Manufacturers have overlooked the specialized needs of the premature infant. Each time the infant moves or pulls at their tubing and wires the heart monitor may sound an alarm. This requires immediately ensuring the infant is not in trouble or disturbing the infant by undressing the infant to reposition the belt. The number one complaint of parents is the clothing on the market labeled as preemie still must be rolled and tucked and the necessary wires are draped all over the infant. The manufactured clothing on the market today does not address these needs. In desperation to find small clothing, some parents will resort to Cabbage Patch clothing or doll clothing. These types of clothing should never be put on a preemie. Look inside these clothes - they are made with stiff nylon thread, prickly lace around the cuffs or neckline, the seams are very abrasive, and are made with very course material. The reason infants cry when you put this type of clothing on them is because it is like barbed wire against their delicate skin.

So how do you ensure your infant maintains vital body heat, protect delicate skin, and contain all the lead wires? ANNA'S, LLC (http://www.annaspreemie.com) has manufactured a clothing line that incorporates all of these vital requirements. Their patented sleepers come in six styles to fit your baby's needs. The patented design has a flap in the front of the garment that allows access to the heart monitor so the baby does not have to be undressed (helps to maintain body temperature) and the baby is disturbed less. The flap Velcro's closed so there are no hard snaps to add weight to the garment (protects the delicate skin). Loops on the side of the garment hold all wires together and out of the way of little hands (less pulling of wires reduces the need to reposition them and fewer false alarms). Their specialty bib Velcro's to the garment so there are no dangerous strings to tie around the baby's neck. In addition, each garment is made from 100% Peruvian combed cotton to achieve the highest level of softness possible. They understand that parents have a very difficult time finding or cannot find accessories for the tiniest of babies. Their website is a one-stop shop that carries clothing, diapers for infants up to 6 pounds, the Wee Soothie pacifier that is used in hospitals, and much more.