A woman in Georgia who was declared brain dead and on life support since February gave birth prematurely to her baby via emergency C-section, with the baby now in neonatal intensive care; the case highlights legal and ethical debates surrounding abortion laws in the state.
Becca and Lavareis Bryant's quadruplets, born at just over 23 weeks, set a world record for the most premature quadruplets to survive, highlighting the advanced neonatal care at UAB Hospital and the family's resilience.
A Vancouver mother, Lauren Colborne, is frustrated with British Columbia's RSV immunization policy after her premature baby, Georgia, was denied access to a potentially lifesaving RSV vaccine. Despite being born at 25 weeks and having significant health risks, Georgia did not meet the province's eligibility criteria, which uses a point system to prioritize high-risk infants. Colborne is concerned about the lack of transparency and the potential consequences for her daughter, as RSV can be deadly for vulnerable infants. The province's program is aligned with national guidelines, but supply limitations affect vaccine availability.
Mikayla Vannoy's son Landon was born 3 1/2 months premature and spent 382 days in the hospital due to Pulmonary Hypertension and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. After a tracheostomy and a year in the NICU, Landon was finally able to go home 18 days after his first birthday. Despite the challenges, his parents are grateful to the medical staff and remain hopeful for his future.
A baby gorilla named Jameela was born via rare emergency C-section at Fort Worth Zoo in Texas after her mother, Sekani, showed signs of pre-eclampsia. Human doctors and zookeepers worked together to save the lives of both mother and baby, with the baby gorilla requiring immediate intervention and round-the-clock care. Despite Sekani's struggles to bond with her newborn, zoo experts are hopeful that another female gorilla, Gracie, may become a surrogate mother. The birth has delighted animal lovers and highlighted the similarities between gorilla and human pregnancies and births.
Teen Mom 2 alumna Kailyn Lowry revealed the names of her newborn twins, Valley and Verse, who were born prematurely and spent weeks in the NICU. Lowry shared the emotional journey of their NICU stay, including the challenges her twins faced and the difficulty of not being able to be with both babies at the same time. The twins join Lowry's large family, which includes her other children from previous relationships.
The CDC reports a 12% increase in preterm births and a 20% rise in early-term births in the U.S. from 2014 to 2022, posing risks to babies. Dr. Céline Gounder explains that factors such as older maternal age, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes contribute to the trend. Pregnant individuals are advised to seek medical attention for symptoms like headaches, changes in urination, and increased blood pressure, and to prioritize access to healthcare for a healthy pregnancy.
A new analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals a 12% increase in the rate of premature births in the US from 2014 to 2022, with significant racial and age disparities among mothers. Black mothers and women over 40 are at higher risk. Experts warn that abortion bans could exacerbate the maternal and infant health crisis, with stress and economic factors likely contributing to the rise in preterm births. The report underscores the ongoing racial disparities and the potential risks of starting families later in life, while highlighting the need for further research and solutions to address this concerning trend.
Teen Mom star Kailyn Lowry revealed that her newborn twins spent weeks in the NICU after being born five weeks early. She shared the emotional and logistical challenges of balancing their NICU stay with her responsibilities at home, expressing gratitude for her children and looking to the future with optimism. Lowry, who is also a mom to six other kids, shared sweet moments with her children and reflected on her journey as a mother.
A woman in France was diagnosed with a rare ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus was growing in her abdomen instead of her uterus. Ectopic pregnancies are typically found in the fallopian tubes but can occur in the abdominal cavity. The woman underwent surgery to deliver the baby at 29 weeks, and both mother and baby were discharged from the hospital. Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Kangaroo Care, also known as skin-to-skin care, is an effective method for providing care to pre-term babies. It regulates heart rate, reduces discomfort during procedures, improves breathing, establishes a bond, and helps establish a nursing relationship and promote healthy weight gain in underweight premature infants.
Researchers have used new software to analyze MRI scans from 300 infants and discovered that myelin in white matter develops slower after birth. This finding provides insights into early-life brain development and the potential effects of premature birth. Abnormal myelin development is associated with various developmental and mental health disorders. Neuroinformatics allows researchers to explore large datasets and gain profound insights into brain health and development.
A UK woman, Lucy Shaw, 34, who believed she had the stomach flu, unexpectedly gave birth to twin boys at 30 weeks gestation. Shaw had a cryptic pregnancy, which can occur due to various factors such as hidden baby bump, lack of pregnancy symptoms, hormonal issues, contraceptive failure, or false negative tests. The twins, Jacob and Jaxon James, weighed 3 pounds, 9 ounces and 3 pounds, 8 ounces respectively, and are currently recovering in the neonatal unit. Despite initial challenges, they are expected to go home soon with minimal special care. Cryptic pregnancies are more common than thought, as seen in previous cases.
Nicole Dib refused to give up on her son Jibreel, who was born four months premature and weighed just 1.8 pounds. Despite being given the option five times to turn off his life support, Jibreel miraculously survived and is now a healthy four-year-old with cerebral palsy. Nicole hopes to inspire other parents with critically ill babies to never lose hope and to seek support from networks and resources available.
Beckham Hughes, a boy from California, celebrated his fourth birthday after being born prematurely at just 27 weeks following a car crash in 2019. Weighing only 2 pounds at birth, Beckham had to stay in the hospital for over three months and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months. Despite his challenges, he has learned to sit, stand, and pull himself around with his arms. Beckham's parents share their journey on social media, raising awareness about cerebral palsy and celebrating their son's resilience.