About one out of every eight babies in this country is born too soon. Many of those newborns will spend their first months of life in an intensive care unit. For their parents, the experience can be overwhelming.
Becoming first-time parents was scary for Robert and Michelle Williamson. Their baby, Michelle, was born by emergency caesarean section three months early. She weighed 15 ounces and could fit in the palm of her dad's hand.
"When she first came out, it just really touched my heart. Almost brought me to tears, when I first saw her, that small," said Robert Williamson.
Since then, Michelle has been in Grady Memorial Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, gradually learning to breathe without a ventilator, to nurse and to grow. She has tripled her weight.
"It's amazing to see her from 15 ounces up until 3 pounds and two ounces. You know that transformation, because she was so small, and now she's really big," said Michelle Williamson.
Emory/Grady neonatologist Dr. Bill Sexson says medicine has gotten much better at helping the tiniest preemies like Michelle survive.
"But I think the real issue to talk to folks about is that oftentimes, even if you're to survive, there's going to be some residual, there's going to be some problem with development," said Sexson.
Premature babies are at higher risk of lung problems, developmental delays, and other complications that Sexson says concern him.
"Because they're the things you may not know about for a year, or two years, five years," Sexson said.
A major focus of both Grady and the March of Dimes is preventing pre-term births. Sexson says they're working with mothers who've had one very premature baby and are at high-risk of having another to delay getting pregnant again for at least a year and a half, giving them time to get as healthy as possible.
"Then you've optimized your chance for that next baby to be normal and not a preemie," said Sexson.
And Dr. Sexson encourages parents to look beyond the NICU, imagining their babies at 2, or 4, or 6, because he says no matter how small, or sick a preemie is in the NICU, "the best predictor of how a child will do long-term is how well they're nurtured, and educated, cared for at home."
If all goes well, Michelle Williamson will leave the NICU in about week. Michelle and Robert can't wait to take her home.
"And read her little stories, and change her diapers like we do here, and be able to feed her and hold her," Michelle Williamson said.
March of Dimes is working to get a better idea of what causes preterm deliveries and what can be done to stop them. The organization is working with Georgia and other states to dramatically reduce the number of preterm births by 2014.
To read more about preterm births, and get pregnancy tips, visit www.marchofdimes.com
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:27:37 GMT
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Summer in Georgia means mosquitoes—and lots of them. Even if you're just stepping outdoors for a few minutes, you need to protect yourself. But how do you pick the right bug repellent?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – is just days away. Thousands of Georgians are planning to fly somewhere, which is great, unless flying panics you.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight. In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician.
When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight. In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician. So, how much does your doctor really need to know?
Monday, May 20 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:03:26 GMT
Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Drop in on your friend's Facebook pages and blogs and you'll probably see a lot of photos of their kids. Sutton Burnett's blog began as a way to share her story with friends and family. It's grown into something much deeper.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
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