U.S. aims to lower rate of babies born too early
By Meagan Sexton | Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Parents Zack Hansen and Alexandra Walsh look in on their baby, Evelyn Walsh-Hansen, who was born prematurely Nov. 8, at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
SIOUX CITY -- Lisa Gunderson gave birth to a daughter whose fleeting life ended after her first breath.
Gunderson, 39, of North Sioux City was only 20 weeks pregnant -- halfway to full term -- when her water broke and she gave birth to the premature baby girl, whose lungs weren't fully developed.
Gunderson and her husband, Blaine Gunderson, knew when she went to the hospital on Nov. 25, 1996, that the baby wasn't going to make it. Her doctor had told them what to expect.
But the doctor couldn't tell them why.
"Gabrielle was just under a pound," Gunderson said. "My water broke, but doctors couldn't tell me why, and there was no explanation."
Preterm birth can affect any mother-to-be, a recent U.S. surgeon general's meeting on the problem emphasized. Scientists don't understand all the complex causes.
"There's not enough research," said Gunderson, who went on to have three more children, all of them born prematurely.
Son Graham, 9, was born six weeks early and son Carson, 7, arrived five weeks early. The couple's 5-year-old daughter, Isabel, was four weeks early.
"Every time we would call our relatives and tell them we were pregnant, it was like, 'Oh ... we're pregnant,'" Gunderson said almost sadly. "We did live in fear."
Lois Pirozek, nurse manager for St Luke's Auxiliary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Sioux City, said the unit has seen more than 13,000 premature and sick babies in the 35 years it has been operating.
"We have staff on board who have close to 500 years of (combined) experience taking care of premature babies," Pirozek said.
More than half a million U.S. babies -- one in every eight -- are born prematurely each year, a toll that's risen steadily for two decades. The federal government wants to lower the number to no more than 7.6 percent of babies born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Full term is 40 weeks.
The March of Dimes mapped the stark state-by-state disparities in what it called a "report card" on prematurity Wednesday to track progress toward meeting the federal goal. There's not much chance of doing so by the original 2010 deadline, however, if the "D" grade the charity bestowed on the nation is any indication.
Iowa's preterm birth rate is 11.8 percent, Nebraska's 12.2 percent and South Dakota's is 11.5 percent. The national average is about 13 percent.
Recent research suggests at least some near-term babies are due to Caesarean sections scheduled before full term, either deliberately or because of confusion about the fetus' exact age. March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer Howse urged hospitals to double-check that women given an early C-section truly need one for a medical problem, as current health guidelines recommend.
Alexandra Walsh and Zack Hansen of Sioux City became the parents of a preemie Saturday at St. Luke's when their daughter, Evelyn Walsh-Hansen, was born at 27 weeks of gestation, weighing slightly more than 1 pound.
On Wednesday, Walsh, 19 and a first-time mother, said she was scared when she went into labor last week. She said her doctor believes an infection caused the premature delivery. Mother and baby are on antibiotics.
Hansen, 20, said he was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. "She's very strong, and it makes it a little easier, and she's responsive to all the medicine," he said of the baby, who, at double her birth weight, was kicking and moving her arms.
"I feel so blessed that she's still here and still with us," her grateful mother said. "Just never give up."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Possible factors in premature birth
Lack of insurance: Can mean missed or late prenatal care.
Smoking: Increases the risk of prematurity, low birth weight and birth defects.
Late preemies: Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks can still suffer developmental delays.
Source: March of Dimes
Gunderson, 39, of North Sioux City was only 20 weeks pregnant -- halfway to full term -- when her water broke and she gave birth to the premature baby girl, whose lungs weren't fully developed.
Gunderson and her husband, Blaine Gunderson, knew when she went to the hospital on Nov. 25, 1996, that the baby wasn't going to make it. Her doctor had told them what to expect.
But the doctor couldn't tell them why.
"Gabrielle was just under a pound," Gunderson said. "My water broke, but doctors couldn't tell me why, and there was no explanation."
Preterm birth can affect any mother-to-be, a recent U.S. surgeon general's meeting on the problem emphasized. Scientists don't understand all the complex causes.
"There's not enough research," said Gunderson, who went on to have three more children, all of them born prematurely.
Son Graham, 9, was born six weeks early and son Carson, 7, arrived five weeks early. The couple's 5-year-old daughter, Isabel, was four weeks early.
"Every time we would call our relatives and tell them we were pregnant, it was like, 'Oh ... we're pregnant,'" Gunderson said almost sadly. "We did live in fear."
Lois Pirozek, nurse manager for St Luke's Auxiliary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Sioux City, said the unit has seen more than 13,000 premature and sick babies in the 35 years it has been operating.
"We have staff on board who have close to 500 years of (combined) experience taking care of premature babies," Pirozek said.
More than half a million U.S. babies -- one in every eight -- are born prematurely each year, a toll that's risen steadily for two decades. The federal government wants to lower the number to no more than 7.6 percent of babies born before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Full term is 40 weeks.
The March of Dimes mapped the stark state-by-state disparities in what it called a "report card" on prematurity Wednesday to track progress toward meeting the federal goal. There's not much chance of doing so by the original 2010 deadline, however, if the "D" grade the charity bestowed on the nation is any indication.
Iowa's preterm birth rate is 11.8 percent, Nebraska's 12.2 percent and South Dakota's is 11.5 percent. The national average is about 13 percent.
Recent research suggests at least some near-term babies are due to Caesarean sections scheduled before full term, either deliberately or because of confusion about the fetus' exact age. March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer Howse urged hospitals to double-check that women given an early C-section truly need one for a medical problem, as current health guidelines recommend.
Alexandra Walsh and Zack Hansen of Sioux City became the parents of a preemie Saturday at St. Luke's when their daughter, Evelyn Walsh-Hansen, was born at 27 weeks of gestation, weighing slightly more than 1 pound.
On Wednesday, Walsh, 19 and a first-time mother, said she was scared when she went into labor last week. She said her doctor believes an infection caused the premature delivery. Mother and baby are on antibiotics.
Hansen, 20, said he was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. "She's very strong, and it makes it a little easier, and she's responsive to all the medicine," he said of the baby, who, at double her birth weight, was kicking and moving her arms.
"I feel so blessed that she's still here and still with us," her grateful mother said. "Just never give up."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Possible factors in premature birth
Lack of insurance: Can mean missed or late prenatal care.
Smoking: Increases the risk of prematurity, low birth weight and birth defects.
Late preemies: Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks can still suffer developmental delays.
Source: March of Dimes
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