Prematurity Awareness Day

Did you know that November 17 is World Prematurity Awareness Day?

About 8% of babies born in Canada arrive too soon. The rate of premature births has increased by 23 % since the beginning of the 90s.1

Premature infants face increased health risks.

Be a part of the solution by bringing awareness of prematurity to Canadians!

Spread the word and celebrate this special day dedicated to improving the lives of premature babies.

1. http://www.cihi.ca/cihi-ext-portal/internet/fr/document/types+of+care/hospital+care/acute+care/release_29jan09

Continue

Why Premature Babies Need Special Care

Premature babies need extra help to survive outside the protection of their mother’s womb. She or he may stay on the postnatal ward or be placed in special unit called a Special Care Nursery, Level 2 Nursery, Neonatal Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), or Premature Infant Care Unit (PICU). These units are designed to give your new baby the best care that he or she needs at this time.

Premature babies often have trouble with their temperature, breathing, and feeding. The goal in neonatal units is to help babies carry out these three important functions. Placing babies in an isolette (incubator), or warm-cot, will maintain their temperature; a ventilator or respirator will help them breathe. They might be fed with a fine tube through their nose or mouth into the stomach, or into a vein until they are able to take all their milk by mouth.