"What's happening to me? Is my baby going to be okay?" Maybe you're reading this guide because you've been told you're at high risk for having a premature baby. Or perhaps you're reading it after your baby's unexpectedly early birth, and you're wondering what the future holds for this incredibly tiny person. You'll find all the answers you need in this comprehensive guide for parents, the first book to fully discuss both coping with high-risk pregnancy and caring for your premature baby. Topics include: Managing the High-Risk Pregnancy: Stalling preterm labor, coping with bed rest, medications to help the baby The First Twenty-four Hours after Delivery: What to expect right after the baby's born, coping with insurance, and more Your Preemie's Growth and Maturation: What to expect in terms of physical appearance and development for 24-, 28-, and 32-week preemies The NICU: What the neonatal intensive care unit looks like, equipment and staff, and how to be a good NICU parent Bringing Your Preemie Home: Getting your home ready, managing anxiety, feeding your preemie, keeping Dad involved Later-Life Development: Health, growth, and cognitive and psychological development as your baby matures Prematurity and the Special Needs Child: How to help your child lead a full life Featuring the most up-to-date medical information available and filled with the voices of dozens of parents who've been in your shoes, this reassuring guide will help you make the best choices for yourself and your baby.

The premature birth of a baby is both a medical and family crisis. Within the pages of this comprehensive guide, parents will find compassionate support, practical suggestions for coping and adjusting, and advice that empowers them to handle an array of emotions.

“This book helps parents to meet the high needs of the premature baby and thereby enjoy the unique rewards of this special type of parenting.” —from the foreword by William Sears, M.D. author of The Birth Book and The Baby Book A comprehensive guide for parents of preemies, from birth and care in the NICU, to how to hold a preemie, deal with feeding issues, growth, health, learning and development. Includes real life stories from parents of preemies and lots of day to day tips.

A study of the mother and father's internal world during the first four months of their premature baby's life. It also explains the baby's situation and the effects on staff. Most important are the implications of handling the parents of premature infants in a way that will counter the trauma they have suffered and give them and their child a better start in life. The book provides information on emotional care for both parent and infant, and is rich in clinical material. It contains information from 216 first-hand interviews with parents, and expresses theoretical constructs from many professionals.

In a welcome addition to the Delta child care library, a pediatrician specializing in the area of premature birth, who is also the mother of a premature baby, shares her wisdom, experience, and expertise in a thoughtful and informative guide for new parents. Illustrated.

GIVE YOUR PRETERM BABY THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN LIFE If you have just given birth to a preterm infant, you and your baby both face special challenges. Parents long to help their baby but often feel isolated and frightened by hospital procedures. Now there is wonderful news for both babies and parents. Kangaroo Care, a technique pioneered in leading neonatal centers worldwide, gives you a unique role: a special way of holding your infant that provides crucial health benefits—including shorter hospital stays. Based on ground-breaking research, Kangaroo Care is a step-by-step guide to bringing these benefits to your baby—even if your neonatal unit does not yet have a Kangaroo Care program. It explains: • Why Kangaroo Care enhances your baby’s development • How to use the technique even if your infant requires a ventilator or an incubator • How to understand your baby’s signals of distress or comfort—and how to respond • How you can work with the national staff to provide the best for your baby between your visits • How to involve fathers as well as mothers • All the proven results of Kangaroo Care—including a more relaxed, healthier, and contented baby THE COMPLETE PARENTS’ GUIDE TO THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW TREATMENT FOR PRETERM BABIES