Last year at this time, we were talking with a nurse in preparation for the possibility of having a baby in the NICU.  We were blessed to be able to stop labor and go on to have a healthy, full-term baby (at home) two months later, but just having been put in that position brings the NICU a little closer to my heart.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month.

I wanted to take this opportunity to do two things.  First, I’d like to make quick mention of a couple things that can lead to premature labor and delivery.  (I am not at all trying to say that all prematurity is preventable, so please don’t take it that way.  But if we can prevent some – that is the point of “awareness,” right?)  Primarily, though, I want to offer some suggestions for ways to encourage those who currently have little ones in the NICU.

Preventing Premature Birth

Diet can have a huge impact on pregnancy health, even in ways we might not consider.  Dr. Brewer suggested that most premature labor was a result of too-low blood volume.  In hindsight, this makes sense to me as the likely cause of my own early contractions.  Along with plenty of fluids, we need plenty of protein during pregnancy.  (See websites or books about the Brewer Diet for more information.)

Vitamin D can also have a significant impact.  (4,00o IU a day cut premature delivery in half, according to an article in the Edmonton Journal, which I now cannot seem to find.)

Encouraging & Supporting Families of Preemies

Assuming, though, that a pregnant mama has done all she knows to do, and her baby has still arrived earlier than planned, how can we encourage and support her and her family? 

There is a fantastic post at Mothering.com that I very, very highly suggest you check out, all about “what we wish our family and friends knew…”  Please go read it.  Here are a few highlights, along with a few of my own.

Keep in mind that these are all general guidelines.  Don’t just carelessly ignore them, but remember that people are different, and what one person finds comforting would drive another crazy.  Know your friends, be sensitive, and (if you’re a Christian) let the Spirit lead you.

• DO ask about visitors.  Does mama want visitors?  What is the visitation policy?  If you show up, will you be forcing someone else out?
• DON’T ask questions mama doesn’t have answers for, such as when the baby will be coming home, why he was early, etc.
• DON’T compare the baby to others.  (Always a good rule, even with full-term babies.  They’re all different!)
• DO ooh and ahh over the adorableness of  the baby.
• DON’T make assumptions about outcome for the baby.
• DO keep in mind that mama and family are very, very busy, and tired, and stressed.  DON’T make demands.
• DO keep in mind that while baby is still small, he will probably have increased health needs.  Be extra-cautious about illness, cigarette smoke, and allergens and respect mama’s need to do so.  (She’s not being paranoid or over-protective!)
• But once baby isn’t a baby anymore, DON’T treat him like a second-class citizen.  An 8-year-old girl is an 8-year-old girl is an 8-year-old girl (for instance).  Doesn’t matter if she was early, late, c-sectioned, whatever.