Premature births: Have you been affected?
Monday, October 5, 2009 | 12:15 PM ET
About eight per cent of babies born in Canada each year arrive too soon, and many of them need extra support that isn't available, a group says.
Premature infants face increased risks of illness and death. Every year, a million premature babies around the world don't survive, according to the March of Dimes. Those who do face higher rates of learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, respiratory illness and are more likely to have developmental and behavioural problems.
Were you a premature baby? Have you faced health issues as a result? Share your stories.
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Leslie
Ottawa
My daughter was born more than 7 weeks premature and was in the hospital for 15 days - 1/2 of the time on a ventilator. My doctor failed to inform me that I had placenta previa (meaning the placenta was covering my cervix) a condition that often results in premature birth, severe bleeding as in my case and can result in the mother requiring a hysterectomy if they cannot get the bleeding under control. Thankfully both I and my daughter came out fine, but things could have been very different if my doctor had taken the time to inform me that I had a high risk pregnancy. My only advice to all pregnant women is ask your doctor questions and keep yourself informed. I had no symptoms and my doctor pushed me through each appointment and since I felt fine and had already gone through a previous normal pregnancy, thought nothing of it. So often doctors don't have the time or don't take the time and push women through their pre-natal appointments like cattle - weight, urine, blood pressure, heart beat, o.kay you're good until the next appointment. Treating pregnant women like a number because they are just too busy leads to situations like mine and as I said previously - ask questions, no matter how busy or rushed your doctor is!
Posted October 13, 2009 10:48 AM