Wonderful News: The Hope Of Premature Babies – Parenthood

The figures are satisfactory, especially if we compare them with the figures we had 15 years ago. All of these advancements have been made thanks to science and technological and medical advancements.

However, according to what specialists explain, the biggest challenge that remains in our minds is to ensure that these babies who were born too early and who managed to survive can grow up without suffering serious after-effects.

Indeed, this aspect is one of the things that we do not talk about much. A child who is born during the 23 ^rd week of pregnancy is likely to survive. But the hope that he will grow up without having any development problems is still a very complex question.

The family will need resources, advice, information, social support and appropriate coverage so that this little one can have a normal life … So that he is happy and independent, as much as possible.

The issue of extreme premature births is always a terribly complex and delicate issue.

Behind every child who comes out, there is always a story of overcoming, of very strong fathers, of mothers who struggle and of incredible little ones who cling to life with all their might. By giving us some fantastic examples. In “Being Parents”, we discuss this subject.

Double the number of extreme premature babies but double the number of surviving babies

The medical journal “Annales de la Pédiatrie” offers us interesting data, on which it is good to reflect. First, the fact that the number of premature births has doubled in the past two years. The reason is not entirely clear.

But it’s not just because moms today are having children later than before. There are other factors like abnormalities in the placenta, infections, smoking, poor diet, etc.

On the other hand, just as the number of preterm births has increased, so too has the chances of these premature babies surviving. It is an exceptional advance that has contributed to this: the technique of pulmonary surfactants.

What is a pulmonary surfactant?

This is a medical technique that helps babies breathe oxygen even though their lungs are not yet fully formed.

In this way, the tension of the pulmonary alveolus is reduced, which prevents failures and breathing difficulties. It is undoubtedly a breakthrough which makes it possible to ensure that extreme premature babies, those born between the 23 ^rd week and the 25 ^th week, survive.

Changes in methods that improve survival in extreme premature babies

The medical protocols used during preterm birth have improved over time. Giving mothers corticosteroids, for example, helps babies’ lungs grow a little bit longer before they come into the world.

Thus, there are fewer and fewer babies who have to use a tube as soon as they come out of the womb. And there are also fewer infections. All this undoubtedly contributes to ensure that, little by little, babies born before term can begin their life alongside their parents. The life they deserve, and their family dreamed of.

Extreme babies, miracle babies

Extreme premature babies spend an average of 95 days in the hospital. All the while, moms and dads are no longer living. They “survive” as best they can with the anxiety and with those moments that last between two and three hours during which the baby’s condition can shift to one side or the other. It is not easy.

It is really not easy, for a very concrete reason. Families know that each time a premature baby has to be resuscitated, the risk of neurological sequelae increases. The child may survive, but most likely they will suffer from certain disabilities or stunted growth.

We cannot forget that a normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. However, today many hospitals are dealing with babies who are born between week 20 and week 22.

Even as science and statistics tell us that these newborns under 24 weeks have virtually no chance of survival.

Indeed, the limit of the possibilities of survival is often around 25 weeks. Even though, as some specialists say, if a hospital is very well qualified in the area of ​​perinatal care, the chances that babies under 25 weeks will survive increase.

The problem will always remain, here again, of knowing what will be the future life of this baby. And to know what will be the consequences from which he may suffer.

Hopefully in the future, extreme premature babies can survive without having any consequences. May they be healthy and strong like any other full term child.