Caledonia Argus

Babies born early face many challenges

Posted: 2/12/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Be prepared.

Thatís the advice to expectant moms from Mindy Jo Hiser of Houston.

In the last few years, Hiser has had two babies that were born early, the first by six weeks and the second by two and a half months.

Babies born early or weighing less than five pounds are what public health officials describe as at-risk babies. Because they have a lower birthweight, they may experience developmental delays.

In the last six months of 2001, Houston County had 11 children born at low birth weights. This has alarmed the countyís public health department because of the potential risks involved. Director of Public Health Linda Grupa said, ìBeing underweight doesnít mean theyíre going to have problems down the road. They just require more care.î

The county tries to monitor these babies to help them become ready for kindergarten in case there are any developmental delays.

Grupa said the statistics are significant because of the implications for schools. ìWe may need more zero through three-year-old teachers to give parents more resources,î she explained

Typically, Houston County has had a greater percentage of babies born underweight compared to the state average. In 1999, 5.7% of babies born in the county were underweight compared to 4.6% in the state.

Challenges of having a premature baby

Hiserís first baby, Cassidy, is now 14 months and progressing above average for her intelligence, height and weight. She was born weighing five pounds, 19 ounces.

Her second child, Kylie, is doing very well for weighing only 2 lbs., 3 oz. when she was born December 24. Last week she weighed 3 lbs., 7.5 oz. and will be able to go home this week. Kylie has spent at least eight weeks in the hospital.

Many times premature births canít be helped. Fortunately there are things the medical profession are able to do to save babies who are born early.

When Hiser was pregnant with Cassidy, she found out that she had cervical cancer. The doctor suggested an abortion, and then surgery for the cancer. But a second opinion showed that the cancer was growing slowly and would not hinder the growth of the baby. A few months after Cassidy was born, surgery removed the cancer.

A month later, Hiser found out she was pregnant again. She recalled, ìI worried about having Kylie early because of last time. I thought it would be a couple weeks early, but not two and half months early.î

Hiser spent two and a half weeks in the hospital before Kylie was born because her water had broke. During that time Kylie had very little amniotic fluid surrounding her and was constantly monitored. ìI was really worried,î said Hiser, ìThey didnít know if she would live or what would happen. Matt ( Melldahl, the girlsí father) said when she came out she looked dead.î

Because of being in very little fluid, Kylie had little sores on her elbows and other areas, which have since healed.

It was later discovered that an infection in the uterus caused her water to break. But Hiser explains why she thinks Kylie came early. ìIn my opinion, I had Cassidy and two months later, I had surgery for cancer and then I got pregnant with her. I just think it was too much for my body.î

Kylie was immediately placed on a ventilator after she was born. She only needed it for four days because her lungs had matured well from the steroids that were given to Hiser when she was in the hospital.

About a day after Kylie was born, Hiser became sick. ìI got really pale, really anemic, passed out and almost died. They think when they did the C-section they might have nicked a vein,î she explained.

The ìnickî caused her bladder to fill with blood and Hiser needed six transfusions (six pints of blood).

Kylie also became anemic. Her hemoglobin dropped, she stopped breathing and was given a transfusion. Now she takes iron supplements in her formula.

Hiser also experienced anemia during her pregnancy.

Anemia during pregnancy

Lois Stemper, maternal child health nurse for Houston County, said anemia is not uncommon during pregnancy. ìItís so hard to eat enough to take care of that baby. The mother just canít get enough iron.î

Iron deficient mothers tend to be unusually tired and lack energy. Stemper said a proper diet may ward off some of the anemia.

Folic acid is another supplement that all women of child-bearing age should take since it is crucial to the early development of the child. Usually by the time a women discovers that sheís pregnant, the need for folic acid will have already passed. Thatís why all women who may become pregnant should take folic acid before they even know if theyíre pregnant.

Folic acid is needed for good cell reproduction, said Stemper because it can help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida.

But there are other things that can be done to make for a healthy pregnancy. ìEat properly well balanced meals; avoid alcohol and drugs; limited caffeine maybe one pop or cup of coffee a day. Your best bet is eight glasses of water a day. While youíre pregnant your body needs extra water for circulation. Your baby needs extra fluids as does your body,î said Stemper.

Stemper said a woman should be able to maintain her pre-pregnancy activity. For example, instead of running, walking is a good exercise.

Going home

The worst part about Kylieís early birth is not being able to see her a lot said Hiser, who visits her in the hospital about three times a week.

Kylieís development will be tested. ìThey expect her at four months to act like a two month old,î explained Hiser.

In the early part after Kylieís birth, Hiser practiced a method called Kangaroo-ing which helps infant and mother to bond. ìI stuff her down my shirt. It keeps her warm and helps with her growing. We would sleep in the chair for hours like that. She can hear the momís heartbeat,î said Hiser.

At that time, Kylie was so small she could fit in the palm of your hand. Mark Hiser, Kylieís grandfather commented, ìWhen I first seen her, I thought, ëIíve thrown fish back bigger than that.íî

Well, Kylieís grown since then is now bigger than the average fish. Hiser said Kylie doesnít have to weigh a certain amount to go home, ìItís if they can keep their own body temperature.î

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