As a parent pregnant with twins, triplets or more, you may already have been counseled in the chances of premature birth.
According to the World Health Organization, preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy,with sub-categories based on gestational age:
- extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks)
- very preterm (28 to less than 32 weeks)
- moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks)
Due to an early birth, premature babies might have underdeveloped organs and can be more vulnerable to complications. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in hospitals help to provide specialised medical care to premature or critically ill babies and infants who require intensive care around the clock.
Having your newborn whisked off to NICU (pronounced NIK-yoo) after birth can be upsetting and difficult to accept for many parents, and many multiple mummies and daddies know how it feels like. After the initial waves of helplessness, a parent would start reading up about the various obstacles that a preemie might face. Here are some of them:
1. Breathing difficulty:
Preemies may require breathing support, such as a ventilator or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), to help them breathe properly.
2. Feeding issues:
Due to their immature digestive systems, preemies may have difficulty feeding. They may need to receive nutrition through a feeding tube until they are able to feed on their own.
3. Risk of infection:
Preemies have a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. NICUs are designed to minimise the risk of infection through strict infection control measures.
4. Apnea and bradycardia:
Preemies are at risk of experiencing apnea (periods of not breathing) and bradycardia (slow heart rate). The NICU staff closely monitors these episodes and provides treatment if necessary.
5. Possibility of surgery:
Preemies may require surgery for medical issues such as heart problems, bowel obstruction, or eye conditions.
6. Specialised follow-up care:
Most preemies require specialised follow-up care after they graduate from the NICU. This may include regular medical check-ups, developmental assessments, and therapy to address any developmental delays.
To parents with precious babies in the NICU, it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious during this time. However, it's important to know that your tiny ones are receiving the best possible care from skilled medical professionals. Remember that you are not alone - there is a whole team of people working together to ensure the health and wellbeing of your lovely brood. Stay strong, take care of yourself, and we pray that your babies will graduate from the NICU and go home soon.
That said, we know of many parents of multiples whose twins and triplets did not need an NICU stay. To expecting parents: Keep the faith and hope for the best!
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Read also: [Spotlight] Triplet Mummies Share Their Postpartum Arrangements
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