On August 17, 2011, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He weighed in and 7 pounds 3oz and you would think that such a big boy would be fine even though I was only 35 weeks along when I went into labor. But my little Nicky had what the nurses at the hospital jokingly call "wimpy white boy syndrome". Baby boys need every second they can get inside the womb in order for their lungs to completely develop. So as big as he was, my son couldn't breath on his own, which was certainly no joke to me. There is nothing worse than seeing your baby suffer. Nothing worse than watching them struggle for every breath. To see them poked and prodded with needles and hooked up to a dozen different monitors. And worst of all, to have them ripped from your arms just seconds after they are born. My son was taken and put on a respirator just minutes after his birth, and within a few hours he was transferred to another hospital that had a NICU. I spent the first night of his life miles apart from him, and praying every second that he would be okay.
As difficult as this experience was, I know I was very lucky. He improved quickly and in only three days was off the respirator. A few days after that, he was able to go home. Some mothers of preemies have to spend months apart from their babies. When you finally do get to take them home, you think that you're finally safe. That your little one is healthy and you can move on. But you aren't out the wood yet. Preemies are at a higher risk for RSV Disease, a potentially life threatening sickness that can lead to a severe lung infection . But if can be prevented and MedImmune is there to help guide mother's of preemies. Their website RSV Protection was designed to give parents the tools they need to prepare themselves for RSV season and hopefully prevent it. With Preemie Awareness Day coming up on November 17th (which is also my son's 3 month birthday), they wanted to help spread the word about what you can do to keep your preemie protected.
The RSV Protection website offers lots of helpful information to guide you through RSV season. You can start by checking your state and seeing when RSV season will start in your area. In New Jersey, it began in November and will carry through until February. I also learned that even though Nicky was born at 35 weeks and was not a super tiny preemie, his risk is still just as severe. Its a scary thought because you think once they are off all those machines, the worst is over. I know I don't ever want to see him like that again. But there are things you can do to prevent RSV. Keep your baby away from large crowds, make sure no one smokes around them, and wash your hands and your baby's toys regularly. By following these few simple steps, I can reduce his risk and do can do if you are the parent of a preemie. This winter, take your child's health into your own hands. Research RSV. Be prepared. And keep you preemie protected.
To learn more about RSV, please visit the MedImmune RSV Protection or read the information below provided by MedImmune and Mom Central.
What You Should Know on Nov. 17, World Prematurity Day
Life as expectant parents is joyous and celebratory. In most cases, babies arrive on time, healthy and ready to head home with Mom and Dad. But for the more than half a million American babies born prematurely each year, this often isn’t the case. Many parents of preterm infants are unprepared for the special medical care preemies often require. According to a March of Dimes survey, this is because most expecting parents don’t discuss preterm birth with their doctor during prenatal care, even if they are at high risk. On November 17 - World Prematurity Day - we’re hoping to help change this.
Despite recent slight declines in rates of prematurity, 1,400 babies are still born prematurely in the United States every day, and 13 million babies are affected by prematurity around the world. Prematurity, defined as being born before 37 weeks completed gestation, disrupts a baby’s development in the womb, often stunting the growth of some of the body’s most critical organs. At birth, preemies often have difficulty with breathing, feeding and maintaining temperature. Because their immune systems haven’t had time to fully mature, preterm infants are more likely to develop infections, and because their lungs are underdeveloped, they are more susceptible to respiratory problems.
For example, nearly every baby contracts respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by age two. In most full-term babies, symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and parents may not even know their child has the virus. However, because they don’t have the antibodies needed to fight off infection, preterm infants—even those born just a few weeks early—are at increased risk for developing an RSV-related infection, often requiring medical attention or hospitalization. Parents should speak with their pediatrician to find out if their baby is at high risk for developing severe RSV disease, and how they can prevent against RSV this winter.
RSV Quick Facts:
· RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.
· RSV occurs in epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
· Certain regions have longer RSV seasons than others, with the season beginning as early as July (e.g., Florida) or ending in April.
· Despite its prevalence, one-third of mothers have never heard of RSV.
Prevention is Key:
There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take the following preventive steps to help protect their child:
· Wash hands, toys, bedding, and play areas frequently
· Ensure you, your family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or use hand sanitizer
· Avoid large crowds and people who may be sick
· Never let anyone smoke near your baby
· Speak with your child’s doctor if you believe he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available
Be Aware of Symptoms:
Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:
· Persistent coughing or wheezing
· Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
· Blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails
· High fever
· Extreme fatigue
· Difficulty feeding
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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