The last trimester of pregnancy is a thrilling time for mothers because they will soon meet their baby. Although many preparations have been made, sometimes not everything can go according to plan. The possibility for mothers to give birth to a premature baby at 8 months is still there.
As many as 11 percent of babies worldwide are born prematurely. This means they are born less than 3 weeks before their estimated due date (EDD).
What is an 8 Month Premature Baby?
Premature babies themselves are a term for babies who are born at least 3 weeks earlier than the established HPL. Premature babies do not have enough time to grow and develop as much as they should have before birth.
The age of premature babies also varies, some are born at 8 months or even less. Babies at 8 months (30-33 weeks) have mature organs. So if a baby is born at this age, they usually don’t need much medical help.
8-month premature babies are also commonly known as moderately premature. Here is a description of babies born in that gestational age range:
Weight: around 1.7 kg to 2 kg
Length: about 42 cm to 44.5 cm
Head circumference: about 29 cm to 12 inches 31 cm
Causes of 8 Month Old Babies
In most cases, doctors do not know the cause of premature birth. However, if the cause is known, it is usually based on reasons such as health problems experienced by the mother during pregnancy. These conditions include:
- Diabetes (high blood sugar)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart or kidney problems
- Infection of the amniotic membrane or vaginal canal or urinary tract
In addition, babies can also be born prematurely if:
- Bleeding occurs, often due to a low-lying placenta ( placenta previa ) or a placenta that has separated from the uterus ( placental abruption ).
- The mother’s uterus does not have its usual shape
- Twin births
- The mother was underweight before pregnancy or did not gain enough weight during pregnancy
- Mother smokes, uses drugs, or drinks alcohol during pregnancy
Signs That Your Baby Will Be Born Prematurely 8 Months
There are several signs that mothers can look out for if their baby is going to be born prematurely at 8 months of pregnancy, including:
- Regular or frequent abdominal sensations (contractions)
- Constant, dull low back pain
- Sensation of pressure in the pelvis or lower abdomen
- Mild abdominal cramps
- Vaginal spotting or light bleeding
- Premature rupture of membranes , in a continuous gush or trickle of fluid after the membranes around the baby rupture or tear.
- Change in type of vaginal discharge, thin, mucus-like or bloody
Steps for Handling Mothers Who Will Give Birth Prematurely
Mom, if you experience one or more of the above premature birth symptoms, contact your obstetrician immediately. Thus, medical personnel can observe and determine the right treatment steps for you if you have to give birth prematurely:
Dealing with Contractions
False labor contractions are common and do not necessarily mean that your cervix is about to open. If you are experiencing contractions that you think may be signs of preterm labor, try walking, resting, or changing positions. This may stop the false labor contractions. However, if you are truly in preterm labor, your contractions will continue.
Treatment
Once you start labor, there are no medications or surgical procedures to stop it. However, your doctor may recommend the following medications:
- Corticosteroids . Corticosteroids can help improve the maturity of your baby’s lungs. If you are between 23 and 34 weeks pregnant, your doctor may recommend corticosteroids if you are considered at high risk for having a baby in the next one to seven days. Your doctor may also recommend steroids if you are at high risk for having a baby between 34 and 37 weeks.
- Tocolytics . Your doctor may prescribe medications called tocolytics to temporarily slow contractions. These medications may be used for 48 hours to delay preterm labor so that the corticosteroids can provide maximum benefit. Tocolytics do not treat the underlying cause of preterm labor. You also won’t be advised to take these medications if you have certain conditions, such as pregnancy-induced high blood pressure ( preeclampsia ).
Operating Procedure
If you are at risk for preterm labor due to a short cervix, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure known as a cervical cerclage. During this procedure, the cervix is stitched shut with strong stitches. Typically, the stitches are removed after 36 weeks of pregnancy. If necessary, the stitches can be removed earlier.
Cervical cerclage may be recommended if you are less than 24 weeks pregnant, you have a history of early preterm birth, and an ultrasound shows your cervix is open or your cervical length is less than 25 millimeters.
Prevention
If you have a history of premature birth, your doctor may recommend weekly injections of a form of the hormone progesterone called hydroxyprogesterone caproate, starting during the second trimester and continuing through the 37th week of pregnancy.
In addition, you may also be given progesterone inserted into the vagina, as a precaution against premature birth. If you are diagnosed with a short cervix before the 24th week of pregnancy, your doctor may also recommend taking progesterone until the 37th week of pregnancy.
Care for 8 Months Premature Baby
Typically, a premature baby born 8 months requires special care after leaving the NICU. Depending on the child’s health, he or she may need care from specialists, such as doctors who treat problems with the brain and nervous system (neurologist), eyes (ophthalmologist), and lungs (pulmonologist).
Premature babies need regular doctor’s appointments, the vaccines all babies need to stay healthy, and regular hearing and eye exams. As your little one grows, your doctor will check your baby’s:
- Growth
- Development, including speech and language, learning, and motor skills
- Muscle tone, strength, and reflexes
Breastfeeding a Premature Baby 8 Months
Breast milk is the best nutrition for all babies, especially premature babies. The protein content in it can help fight infections.
However, most premature babies cannot breastfeed directly from the breast or a bottle. Therefore, mothers can pump breast milk and give it to their baby through a tube that goes into the nose or mouth and is then digested in the stomach.
Alternatively, your doctor may also suggest giving your baby donor milk from a milk bank, which is also safe.
If you are not breastfeeding or pumping, your baby can get formula. Premature babies need more calories, protein, and other nutrients than full-term babies. So extra nutrients called fortifiers can be added to the pumped milk or a specially formulated preterm formula can be used to help your baby grow.
Additionally, premature babies are fed slowly because they can develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal problem that affects premature babies.
Some very small babies or those with special conditions receive nutrition through an IV called total parenteral nutrition. It has a special mix of nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that can fully support the baby’s growth and development until he or she can breastfeed.
Doctors will watch a premature baby’s dietary choices very carefully and make changes if necessary to ensure the baby gets the nutrients it needs to grow.
How is the Development of an 8 Month Premature Baby?
Ninety-five percent of premature babies at 8 months survive. At this age, babies are less likely to develop serious birth defects than babies born earlier. However, premature babies at 8 months are at higher risk of learning and behavioral problems than full-term babies.
Caring for a premature baby requires extra attention and energy. Therefore, make sure that you also maintain your own health. May you and your baby always be healthy.
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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
