Read on Twitter
During my internship, a pregnant lady who didn't register for antenatal care came to our facility to deliver. On examination, her cervix was already fully dilated but the pregnancy was only 28 weeks (about 7 months) & TWINS...
#PrematureBabies #AntenatalCare
#PrematureBabies #AntenatalCare
After some close monitoring & care, she pushed out the pair of twins. Both were females with Extreme Low Birth Weight; the first twin weighed 0.45kg & the second just 0.5kg.
After 3 minutes, the Twin 1 started turning blue & gasping for air. We immediately started to resuscitate her. Few minutes later, despite all attempts at resuscitation, the baby couldn't survive.
Twin 2, however, managed to respond to our initial treatment. So she was placed in the incubator where she was being closely monitored & treated for her many complications including frequent attacks of apnea, hypoglycemia & early onset sepsis.
Such premature babies are at high risk of breathing problems or respiratory distress due to their immature lungs. They are also prone to jaundice, kidney problems, infections, heart problems & brain damages, from which they may die.
Even if they survive in the long run like the Twin 2, they may suffer from cerebral palsy, visual, hearing & behavioural problems. Some can even become imbecile.
Generally, preterm premature births like this are common with:
- People from poor backgrounds
- Diabetic mothers
- Multiple pregnancies like twins, triplets, quadruplets
- Mothers 13-15yrs or above 40, &
- Mothers who smoke tobacco or weed (marijuana).
- People from poor backgrounds
- Diabetic mothers
- Multiple pregnancies like twins, triplets, quadruplets
- Mothers 13-15yrs or above 40, &
- Mothers who smoke tobacco or weed (marijuana).
Because this mother did not book for antenatal care, there was little we could do for her babies to adequately mature before delivery. Had she come earlier, we could have given her medications to help her babies' lungs mature quicker. But she came too late.
Subsequently, if I may add, we deployed everything within our capacity to save Twin 2. The neonatal nurses, anaesthetists, pediatricians, everyone worked so hard & miraculously, Twin 2 is alive today.
I said miraculously because the chances of such babies surviving is 50:50.
I said miraculously because the chances of such babies surviving is 50:50.
The interesting part is that recently I learnt that this woman is already approaching her late 40s & this Twin 2 who survived is the woman's only child till date.
I'd like to end this by reminding every pregnant woman or intending mother:
1. Book for your antenatal care as early as your first missed period, &
2. Avoid the above listed risk factors
That's how to prevent a premature birth that puts the life of your precious infant at risk
1. Book for your antenatal care as early as your first missed period, &
2. Avoid the above listed risk factors
That's how to prevent a premature birth that puts the life of your precious infant at risk
Remember, every pregnancy is not the same. Don't think that because your previous pregnancy or pregnancies happened without issues, all other pregnancies will follow suit. Do the right thing and be a happy mother with a happy baby after your 9 months.
Kindly RT.
Kindly RT.
