Have seen tons of new parents with their babies in the NICU visiting

[gentlebirthmothr]

But these past couple of months have a surge in premature births then what I seen before these past of couple of months. I do understand the reasons why some babies are born early, but feel its happen much more then normal. Don't know how to explain my feeling this issue. Have a couple of mom stop pumping their breastmilk, which is sad in my eyes because its much more better in formula, especially for premature babies.

Think thats it.

Thank you.

[TBA in PA]

This same topic is being discussed on one of the midwifery groups. Prematurity and other risky circumstances, are par for the course as an indication of our society's overall poor health. There are a number of factors that were cited by one wise midwife, the greatest of which in my eyes was the lack of nutrition in our foods and stress factors of modern day life.

I can't imagine doing what you do. It must pain your heart every day to witness such heartache!

[gentlebirthmothr]

tbapa,

Well, I do office work in the main part of Maternity/NICU unit, so I just see parents coming to visit to babies and going after visited them.

Thank you, anyway.

[Jane]

March of Dimes is trying to prevent premature birth, but their records show that while many more preemies survive and are healthy, we have not been able to prevent pre-term birth. The overal rate of premature birth has increased from 9.2% to 13.2% in the last 20 years. It might be due to increasing rates of multiple birth and maternal conditions like diabetes. But most pre-term births occur for unknown reason.

[TBA in PA]

Adequate nutrition is a big factor in my eyes. Even if the mom is eating a perfect diet, it doesn't necessarily mean that the food she is eating has much in the way of vitamins and minerals. Of course there are many other valid reasons, but this is one that can be countered by nutritional counseling and supplementation with a GOOD multiple vitamin.

Another consideration *might* be that our own bodies are being genetically modified through the use of vaccines. How can we not expect some form of alteration when we inject foreign substance, namely genetic material from other species, into our bodies.

I also believe that sexual promiscuity can play a role, due to the possible plethora of organisms that are transferred from one to another. It seems as though something 'new' is being discovered all the time, so who knows how many there are that haven't been discovered.

[Jilian]

It must be hard working in the NICU seeing so many tiny helpless babies hooked up to machines fighting for survival. I admire people who can work in the NICU. Even seeing NICU babies on TV makes me cry.

Teagreenribbons, you are a good person for helping out in the NICU. Keep up the good work.

[cathicog]

recurring infections, poor nutrition(most pg ladies are never told proper prenatal nutrition, as docs aren't trained in it usually), cervical scarring and (my pet peeve) inductions at 37-39 weeks-where the moms probably arent but 34-35 weeks really, I think are the leading causes of prematurity. Relying on ultrasound to get gestational age isn't very reliable, especially after 28 weeks. Inductions for convenience are a big factor as well. I would be asking how many of those moms had sections? since if they were induced and had a preemie, my guess is thier cervix wasn't ripe either and didn't dilate well, so they ended up with"failure to progress" instead of "failure for doc to let the pregnancy finish itself out". Sometimes maternal High blood pressure results in needing to get the baby out early ,but i don't think this is as common...just my thoughts.PS, it also takes a lot of babies in NICU to pay for all that expensive equipment and staff...

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by Jilian

It must be hard working in the NICU seeing so many tiny helpless babies hooked up to machines fighting for survival. I admire people who can work in the NICU. Even seeing NICU babies on TV makes me cry.

Teagreenribbons, you are a good person for helping out in the NICU. Keep up the good work.

Jilian,

Thank you and this what I answered to tbapa question in reply #2.

Well, I do office work in the main part of Maternity/NICU unit, so I just see parents coming to visit to babies and going after visited them.

Other women who replied so far to my question,

Thank you, again for your answers, but still doesn't answer the whole the question, don't how describe as well.

[OnTheFence]

A friend of mine had a baby at 33 weeks due to HELLP Syndrome. Her baby has been exclusively breastfed or had breastmilk. She never even had fortifier added to the breastmilk. I have to say I really have to commend her for all the pumping she did but I am not sure I could have done it. I think that is why many mothers with preemies give up on breastfeeding, especially if its their first baby. It's really hard work, and there is so much stuff going on, especially if your baby is sick and you were too.

Kim