Oregonian reviews Micropremature Babies film

Oregonian reporter Amy Wang, writing in her family-centered  blog called, “Omamas” gives a glowing review of the Micropremature Babies film. Check it out, here:

http://tinyurl.com/cmdtfo

Premiere KGO Micropremie Film interview- October, 2002

Click here: KGO Oct. 2002

Candy was a guest on KGO radio talk show host John Rothmann’s show in 2002, speaking about micropremature babies, the nursing shortage and the healthcare crisis in America. Click to hear an 8 minute excerpt of the  60 minute conversation, including some of the call-in questions and answers.

Podcast- NICU Stress Pt 2

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Danea gives advice to parents of preemies on how to cope.

Podcast NICU Stress Pt 1

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Mom of 24 week twins, Danae Gemmel gives hope and encouragement to the parents of premature babies.

Late Preterm Infants—out of the woods?

I am pleased to see, albeit sad to hear, the news media bring attention to the recent study results about developmental problems among Late Preterm Infants. I represent a national community of NICU nurses, who has been conscientiously lobbying to change the increase in late preterm births, for over a decade.

It is true that these elective cesarean sections are often brought on by real medical problems. However, the cavalier attitude of some obstetricians seems to be rooted in the fact that in the US, NICUs “produce miracles all the time,” as one OB argued. This has led to a measurable increase in “Monday-Friday” c-sections, as thoughtful physicians plan their patient’s deliveries around their own weekend plans.

My research for the film, Micropremature Babies: How Low Can You Go? included many interviews with families of micropremature and late preterm (ie, 34-36 weeks gestation) infants. Generally, the news was encouraging and hopeful. But visits to several developmental clinics convinced me that there is a variable within our treatment in the NICUs that cannot yet be explained. We expect our micropremature or very low birth weight infants to need up to three years to catch up to their peers born at 38-40 weeks, yet we do not expect our 34-36 weekers to have negative sequelae… Why not? Turn back the clock 50 years and these babies would have been considered very fragile. Medical technology has advanced, but has that impacted the fragility of a late preterm infant?

The difference between today and 50 years ago, is that now we have babies born early and earlier. Any preterm birth includes the possibility of a large spectrum of problems as well as triumphs. As a patient advocate, and as a mom, I urge all parents to be proactive and not in a hurry to be delivered of their late preterm infant, unless it is truly a medical emergency. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by an obstetrician who tells you that the baby will be fine just because the L/S ratio is within normal limits. (That screening tool is not 100% accurate.)

And now I’ll step off the soapbox…

*SWAK

It’s another glorious spring day in the San Francisco Bay area. Although the weather is warmer and the cold and flu season has ‘officially’ ceased, take heed: if you kiss your premature baby on the lips there could be dire consequences.

Preemies need lots of extra protection from the infectious diseases they cannot withstand. It may be April Fools Day but it’s no joke. Some are living on you! Just as you know to make sure you and your visitors take extra precautions around your preemie baby(ies), ie, wash hands before touching and after a diaper change, so you should guard your baby’s lips. When those adorable little peachy pouters make you want to kiss them back, aim for the cheek or the neck or the head–just about anyplace except a direct portal of entry into the body. (Okay, that goes for ears and noses too.) Do this and save your baby from a host of infections, notably respiratory syncytial virus RSV (a common cold in adults) which can be fatal in premature and micropremature babies.

Continue to monitor your little one’s environment by not allowing cigarette smokers to fume indoors, nor to hold the baby immediately after having done so. Secondary inhalation carries with it a number of toxins which also can compromise the immature immune system of a preemie.

It may seem like a lot to impose these rules on your friends and family, but you’ll be glad you did.

*SWAK= Sealed With a Kiss