Preemie baby question (A worried new Aunt)?

Question

My sisterinlaw gave birth to my nephew today and was 1 month early, the doctors said his lungs were not fully developed and that they were going to give him medicine and put him in a special childrens hospital, they said about 3 days he would be there. Can someone tell me what happens after 3 days? He is developing but how will they know hes ready to breathe on his own?
I was so upset tonight. Someone please ease my mind. Thank you.

To the person who asked me if he was 36 to the day the doctor said Sept 5th was due date. So I would assume so yes. I want to thank you all for your kind words and prayers. God Bless you all.

Answer 1

My baby was born 1 month early also. He was in Intensive Care for five days, and then transferred to a pediatric unit for three more days.

When they're born that early, it's difficult for them to breathe on their own, simply because their bodies haven't quite finished developing yet. (My baby looked complete to me, though!) They put my son on oxygen for two days. They have monitors to monitor his breathing rate and his oxygen level in his blood. They will also have a respitory specialist see the baby and make sure he's breathing okay. Don't worry, one month early isn't that bad! I saw some babies in the intensive care that were born three or four months early!

The baby is completely fine, nothing will happen to him, your little nephew will be a perfectly normal, and happy baby! He just needs a little help to get kickstarted his first few days of life. :o) Look at the picture of my baby. He turned out all right for being early, huh? Congratulations on your nephew, and know that your nephew is in good hands!

Answer 2

First of all, all babies are different and he could be in there less than 3 or more than 3. My son was 13 weeks early and thank GOD his lungs were fully developed (2 lbs 7 oz 12 in long). We were there 11 weeks. What you really need to know is that there are quite a few more things to worry about. I know you need your mind at ease, but you don't want things to catch you off guard. I am not going to list them all but when a baby is born that early, things you would never think of could go wrong. Technology is sooo great these days, and I thank God for it and helping my little Dallas.
I am guessing he is on a ventilator? Those things are little boogers, but listen to what the nurses say. They will slowy wean him off the vent and begin him on oxygen, and wean him off of that as well. Most of the time, feeding a preemie baby is a task as well. They start them off at as little as 5 and 7 milliliters and gradually work their way up. There is no way I can describe what you feel when this happens. Rollercoaster does not even touch the magnitude. However, preemiemagazine.com is a great source for information and I will pray for the little one.

Answer 3

My daughter was born 15 weeks early, at 25 weeks. It's very common for preemies to need oxygen when they are first born, and in your nephew's case, they are probably giving him Surfacant to help develop his lungs faster. He will be monitored closely by machines for apnea (pauses in breathing) and bradycardia (slow heart rate). If you don't mind me asking, was your nephew born one month early (at 36 weeks)? If so, he's chance for survival is practically 100%, unless he suffered from In Utero Growth Restriction, which means he weighed a lot less for his gestational age. In that case, his problems could be more serious. I'm not trying to scare you, but wanted to give you as much information as possible since there are so many variables when a baby does not go to term. The important thing to do (for the parents) is to spend as much possible time at the NICU with their son. And all relatives should respect all the wishes of the parents when the baby comes home. It's also important to remember that your SIL is feeling a lot of valid, "roller coaster" emotions right now. She's probably feeling hopeful, angry, guilty, scared, helpless, happy, anxious, stress and joy, all at the same time. Just be there to support her and help her in any way that you can. If you need someone to talk to, I suggest joining the preemie support group at www.preemieparents.org There's tons of info and support there. I will keep your nephew and family in my prayers.

Answer 4

Oh my gosh this brought back a flood of memories! My little girl just turned a year on July 27th and my due date was September 9th. I had her by emergency c-section and she was in the NICU for 8 days. My baby's lungs too were not fully developed so they gave her CPAP for 48 hours. It's oxygen and allows the esophogus and trachea to fully open to expand the lungs. I am not sure, in your case, what the NICU will do for your little nephew after 36 hours. If his lungs are stronger, they may try to slowly wean him from the oxygen. If he becomes jaundice they, too, will want to keep him under billy lights for awhile and in the isolet as much as possible. I hope that this helps. God Bless that baby. May I ask how much he weighed?

Answer 5

if he was one month early he will likely be fine.. they will know he is ready to breathe on his own by measuring the oxygen levels in his blood when he is doing so. If he can maintain the right levels, he is doing fine. A lot of babies born a month early go home with their parents.. sometimes when they are just slightly premature like he is, they need a little extra help for a few days.

My daughter was born 10.5 weeks premature, needed vents and then oxygen for 4 months after her birth. She has what they call chronic lung disease (scarring on the lungs), but at 3 years old is absolutely perfect :). Lung tissue grows, and grows quickly. If he isnt needing the help of ventilators or anything like that, im sure he will be just fine!!!!

Answer 6

My twins were born 12 weeks early 2-11-06. They both were given surfacten to help their lungs develop. Today they are happy and healthy just a little behind developmentally. Best of luck to your new nephew! Check out preemietwins.com it has lots of great info about preemies.

Answer 7

Sorry to hear, I think that your nephre wil be fine. Lots of luck to your sisterinlaw.

Answer 8

I am so sorry to hear that, Wish I could help you but I don't know. Hope everything goes good for you guys, take care and good luck honey.?!