Premature birth

Premature birth, and the circumstances leading up to it, do not happen to the mother. It is a family story and effects each member.

Labor pains and delivery - these very words make a pregnant woman nervous. Although she cherishes her journey of pregnancy, she'll also put up a brave front while undergoing those innumerable, and often painful, physical changes.

So. Cute. So. Tiny.

Premature birth can alter the connectivity between key areas of the brain, according to a new study. The findings should help researchers to better understand why premature birth is linked to a greater risk of neurodevelopmental problems, including autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit disorders. Stronger connections involving face and lips in babies born preterm may reflect their early exposure to breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, while the reduced connectivity in other brain…

"It’s the stuff in the middle."

Meeting your baby for the first time in the NICU can be jarring. But as a parent, you are a vital part of your preemie’s care and can get involved right away.

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A preemie born 30 weeks or earlier will need a NICU stay, but babies born later may still need extra care.

The toughest guys aren't always the biggest ones. In fact, sometimes, it's the contrary. Five months ago, a preemie baby boy was born in a Tokyo hospital.

If your baby is in the NICU, get familiar with the NICU levels, staff and equipment, plus what to know about visiting your NICU baby.