Arissa Hawani - hari ke 21

Assalamualaikum.. Hari ni dah genap arissa 21 hari.. Dah nampak peningkatan pada diri arissa.. Sejak beberapa hari ni, mama jenguk arissa bergilir sebab kakak adelia xde org nak jaga.. Papa jaga kakak dulu, then baru mama keluar n jaga kakak.. Arissa dah xpakai oksigen.. Tapi still minum susu guna tiub.. Susu arissa sentiasa meningkat.. Dari hari ke hari.. Hari nih, 23ml.. Berat arissa dah naik 1.425kg.. Alhamdulillah.. Positif.. Yang merisaukan mama ialah paru-paru arissa.. Harapan mama, arissa kuat ye sayang...

Arissa Hawani - hari ke 14

Assalamualaikum.. Buat anak istimewa mama, Arissa Hawani, dah genap 14hari kamu dimuka bumi ini.. Mama rasa bersyukur dan redha dengan ketentuan Allah.. Ada hikmah nya segala yang terjadi.. Mama xdapat bayangkan semua ini.. Namun mama pernah dapat petunjuk beberapa kali.. Mimpi yg aneh2 selalu bermain dalam minda mama.. Xpelah sayang Arissa, mama harap, arissa sentiasa sihat dan jadi anak yg solehah.. Arissa hari nih, nampak tembam.. Pipi arissa nampak berisi.. Mama nampak perubahan tuh.. Arissa pun dah pandai genggam tangan mama.. Tiub oxygen dah pakai yg kecik.. Harap2 lepas nih, arissa boleh bernafas sendiri tanpa sebarang masalah.. Susu arissa dah naik 10ml setiap 2 jam... Semangat mama nak pump susu.. Mama harap, arissa pandai nak latch dgn mama nanti.. Berusahalah sayang.. Mama doakan arissa dapat segala keberkatan dan khasiat dari susu mama.. Arissa sayang, mama rindu arissa.. Mama nak dukung n cium anak mama nih.. Mama sedih sgt sayang.. Arissa bertahan lah sayang.. Kuatkan semangat.. Kita harungi dugaan ini bersama.. Mama nak arissa sentiasa kuat n tabah dengan keadaan sekarang.. InshaAllah, arissa akan dilindungi Allah dan dipelihara oleh malaikat.. 

Arissa Hawani - Hari ke 13

Assalamualaikum... Hari ni mama g lawat Arissa lambat sikit.. Sampai kat wad NICU lbh kurang jam 1250.. Masa mama dtg, mama nampak arissa menggeliat.. Mama rasa arissa xtido.. Mama g cuci tangan bersih bersih.. Ikut macam mana nurse ajar.. Lps lap, mama trs ke tempat arissa.. Haaaaaa.. Arissa xtido.. Bulat mata anak mama.. Menggeliat sana sini.. Mama terus bagi assalamualaikum... Mama pandang mata arissa.. Mungkin arissa x nampak mama lagi.. Mama pun pegang tangan n kaki arissa.. Mama usap dahi arissa.. Mama check pampers.. Kosong.. Mama rasa macam nak angkat n dukung arissa.. Tapi xboleh sayang.. Mama nak dakap anak mama.. Macam mana mama dakap adelia dulu lepas dia lahir.. Sabar lah sayang.. Mama usap dada kecik arissa.. Nampak arissa respon..  

Sayang, mama borak2, mama zikir kan arissa.. Mama baca selawat syifa'.. Mama harap arissa dapat keberkatan dari apa yg mama cuba sampaikan.. Arissa menangis, sedu, kencing, menggeliat n paling hebat, tiub oxygen yg besar tuh pun arissa cabut.. Hahaha.. Mama tau arissa kuat.. U will survive sayang..inshaAllah.. Hari ni mama dengan Arissa lama.. Kesian kakak adelia.. Tak selesa dalam stroller.. Arissa dah minum 8 ml susu.. Alhamdulillah, masa nurse sedut susu yg xhadam, xbanyak..maknanya usus arissa boleh terima susu mama.. Mama minum vitamin, susu, horlicks nak bagi khasiat pada arissa.. Mama harap arissa cepat sembuh, kuat dan boleh keluar hospital..

Arissa Hawani - hari ke 12

Assalamualaikum.. Buat Arissa sayang, mama sedekahkan Al- fatihah buat anak istimewa mama.. Semoga Arissa lebih kuat dan usaha lebih untuk sihat.. Mama tahu Arissa takut.. Belum masanya Arissa keluar ke dunia nih.. Tapi salah mama.. Mama xmakan makanan yg berkhasiat.. Mama xjaga diri Mama.. Ampunkan mama sayang.. Mama mohon ampun sayang.. Beri mama peluang tebus kesalahan mama.. Bagi mama peluang jaga arissa hingga Arissa dewasa.. Arissa ingat satu perkara, walau apa pun yg jadi, Arissa tetap anak mama yang istimewa.. Mama akan jaga dan didik Arissa jadi anak yg sihat, hamba Allah yg solehah.. Itu janji mama sayang.. 

Hari nih, mama g tgk Arissa lagi.. Arissa kene pakai oxygen support balik.. Paru2 kanan arissa ade cecair.. Maybe air, susu, atau kahak kata doktor.. Paru2 kiri, sihat.. Sbb tu lah Arissa bernafas laju.. Mama ade tanya doktor tentang perkembangan Arissa.. Katanya, xboleh nak cakap, sbb baby premature ni very dynamic.. Kadang2 ok, kadang2 x ok.. Mama mampu berdoa saja sayang.. Usus Arissa dah semakin baik.. Dah boleh tolerate susu.. Arissa dah start minum 6ml.. Setiap 2 jam.. Syukur lah sayang.. Mama zikir kan Arissa tadi.. Lena Arissa tido.. Sambil mama usap badan Arissa.. Wajah Arissa macam kakak Adelia.. Tapi, kening Arissa lagi lebat.. Hidung Arissa lagi mancung.. Rambut Arissa nampak dah lurus.. Jari jemari Arissa runcing mcm papa.. Badan kecik Arissa bayak bulu roma.. Mungkin bila berat dah bertambah, bulu roma akan kurang..mama doakan Arissa dan Kakak Adelia n kakak Alya sihat selalu.. Puteri- puteri mama yang akan mama kasihi hingga akhir hayat mama.. InshaAllah..

Arissa Hawani - Hari ke 11

Assalamualaikum.. Hari nih Nenek melaka ade kat rumah.. So, Adelia akan ikut mama n papa sampai hospital.. Tapi xboleh masuk wad.. Standard lah hoapital sungai buloh ni.. Budak bawah 12 tahun xblh masuk langsung.. Kesian anak2 yg xdapat jumpa mak ayah adik beradik yg sakit.. Pagi ni, lepas siap sarapan, gerak g hospital around 10am.. Sampai je, g tgk buah hati mama Arissa, kat NICU.. Arissa kene pakai oksigen tiub balik... Respiritory Rate (RR) tinggi.. Kata nurse yg jaga.. Susu arissa dah dinaikkan 4cc setiap 2 jam.. Harapan mama arissa boleh tolerate dengan susu.. Lama mama dengan Arissa hari ni.. Mama baca surah2 yang terlintas dalam kepala mama.. Mama baca zikir.. Nafas arissa memang laju.. Macam orang lepas berlari.. Heart Rate ( HR) arissa pun xstabil.. Mama takut tgk arissa bernafas macam tuh.. Ya Allah, berikan segala kekuatan kepada Arissa.. Permudahkan anak kecil itu bernafas.. Semoga Arissa di dalam lindungan Mu Ya Allah.. Arissa, kuatkan semangat sayang.. Mama sedekahkan al -fatihah kepada anak mama.. Semoga dengan keberkatan ayat suci itu, Arissa kuat dan tabah sayang.. Mama sayang anak anak mama.. Adelia Hana, doakan adik sihat ye sayang..

Arissa Hawani - Hari ke 10

Assalamualaikum... Hari nih Arissa dah berumur 10 hari.. Arissa nampak macam muka kakak Adelia masa kecik.. Just like your sister.. Masa mama datang, Arissa tido lagi.. Mulut Arissa comot.. Baru lepas minum susu rupanya.. Alhamdulillah, Arissa dah boleh bernafas sendiri.. Susu pun dh minum 2cc every 2 hours.. Alhamdulillah.. Mama syukur Arissa dah progress.. 

Arissa Hawani - Hari Ke 7

Assalamualaikum.. Hari ni genap usia Arissa 7 hari.. Syukur pada Allah, usia Arissa panjang dan semakin sembuh.. Tapi Arissa masih dengan antibiotik.. Arissa kene puasa dulu.. 

        Nih gambar arissa masa hari ke 6

     Papa je yg lawat arissa sebab mama         jaga adel kat rumah..

    Arissa hari ke 7... Nampak lebih berisi.. Tapi najis arissa masih warna hitam.. Tunggu doktor punye decision utk puasa lg atau boleh minum susu..

Masa mama lawat arissa, kawan Arissa, Maisarah Salsabila tengah minum susu.. Mama bagi assalamualaikum pada maisarah.. Tapi bila dah lama sikit, mesin maisarah berbunyi.. Semua reading menyala.. Mama pandang je maisarah.. Mama bisikkan pada arissa, bgtau maisarah utk kuat.. Malaikat akan lindungi maisarah.. Tapi tiba2 mama dengar, doktor sebut 8:50am.. Mama biasa tgk CSI n mama tau cara doktor declare time of death.. Innalillahiwainailahirajiun... Semoga Maisarah tenang disyurga nak.. Mama doakan ibu bapa maisarah kuat.. InshaAllah...

Adelia Hana yang makin susah nak duduk car seat.. Last2 buat mcm ni lah..

Listeriosis during pregnancy

Listeriosis is a serious infection that you can get by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant women and their developing babies – as well as newborns, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly – are particularly susceptible to Listeria, which can cause a blood infection, meningitis, and other serious and potentially life-threatening complications. The primary threat for a pregnant woman is the devastating effect this disease may have on her pregnancy and her baby.

Fortunately, the illness is relatively rare: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 2,500 people contract listeriosis in the United States every year. About a third of reported cases occur in pregnant women.

How could listeriosis affect me and my baby?

Unless you have some underlying disease that affects your immune system, it's unlikely for listeriosis to seriously affect your health. But even if it doesn't make you seriously ill, the infection can have grave consequences for your developing baby, especially if you're not treated promptly.

Listeria can infect the placenta, the amniotic fluid, and the baby, and can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Infected babies who survive are likely to be bornprematurely. Many will be born severely ill or get sick soon after birth, with problems that can include blood infection, difficulty breathing, fever, skin sores, lesions on multiple organs, and central nervous system infections such as meningitis.

Some newborns of infected mothers appear healthy at birth and first have signs of infection, usually meningitis, a week or even several weeks after delivery. This so-called "late-onset listeriosis" may be the result of a baby becoming infected during labor and birth (an infected woman may harbor the bacteria in her cervix, vagina, or gastrointestinal tract), or, more rarely, from transmission from a source other than the mother.

Unfortunately, many infected babies will die or suffer long-term consequences.

How will I know if I have listeriosis?

You might not know. Some people have no symptoms. Others have a fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as chills, aches, and headache; back pain; or possibly gastrointestinal symptoms. Less commonly, the infection attacks your central nervous system. If that happens, you may become quite ill and have symptoms such as severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, dizziness, or even convulsions.

Call your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have any symptoms of listeriosis. Stomach symptoms, if you get them, generally appear within 48 hours, but other symptoms usually show up two to six weeks or more after you're infected. You'll need a blood test to find out whether your symptoms are caused by listeriosis.

How is listeriosis managed?

You'll be given IV antibiotics, which will treat your infection and may help protect your baby. Ultrasoundswill be done to check for problems and to see how your baby is growing.

What can I do to avoid getting infected?

Here are some guidelines for avoiding this food-borne illness:

• Cook all meat, poultry, and fish thoroughly. Use a food thermometer to test the internal temperature of meat. Most meat should be cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees F in the thigh for whole poultry). If you're not actually measuring the temperature of the meat, cook it until it's no longer pink in the middle. Fish should be cooked until the flesh in the middle is opaque. And be sure not to sample your food before it's done.
• Reheat leftovers thoroughly. Because Listeriacontamination can also occur after food has already been cooked or processed, and the bacteria can survive – and, unlike many bacteria, continue to grow – in the refrigerator, heat all previously cooked leftovers to 165 degrees F or until they're steaming hot. If you use a microwave, cover the food with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to hold in moisture and provide safe, even heating. (Turn back a corner to allow the steam to vent.) Allow the food to stand for a few minutes after microwaving to help complete the cooking. You can use a clean food thermometer to make sure the reheated food has reached 165 degrees F.
• Avoid deli foods unless you heat them. For the same reason, don't eat cold cuts or deli meat, refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads, or refrigerated smoked or pickled fish unless they're cooked until they're steaming hot (say, on a pizza or in a hot sandwich). And even though hot dogs are precooked, be sure to cook them until they're steaming hot as well. Canned or shelf-stable products that don't need to be refrigerated should be fine to eat. Avoid prepared salads from delis and supermarkets, especially those containing eggs, chicken, or seafood. Also, you may need to skip that potato salad that's not on ice at the picnic or meat that's not kept steaming hot at the buffet. Unless you're positive that the food has been safely prepared and has been sitting out for less than two hours (one hour on a very warm day), it's not worth the risk.
• Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk. That includes both cow and goat's milk – and food made with them. Don't eat soft cheese such as feta, Brie, or Camembert; blue-veined cheese; or Mexican-style cheese such as queso blanco, queso fresco, or panela, unless the label clearly states that it's made from pasteurized milk. Cottage cheese, ricotta, cream cheese, processed cheese (such as American), and hard cheese (such as cheddar and Parmesan) are generally considered safe, as are cultured dairy products like yogurt and buttermilk. But to be on the safe side, read the labels on all dairy products to make sure they're made with pasteurized milk.
• Wash all produce. Thoroughly wash or peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them.
• Avoid sprouts. You might choose to forgo raw sprouts until after your pregnancy. (Alfalfa sprouts caused an outbreak of listeriosis in March 2008.)
• Avoid contaminating food that's ready to eat.Keep any potentially contaminated food (such as unwashed produce; uncooked meat, poultry, or seafood; hot dogs; and deli meat) separate from clean produce and from cooked and ready-to-eat food. Wash counters, cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with potentially contaminated food – and before you handle clean produce or cooked meat so you don't contaminate your food.
• Clean sponges and dishcloths regularly. Keep in mind that dishcloths and sponges can harbor bacteria. Wash dishcloths regularly in hot water, and clean any sponges in the dishwasher or microwave. Dry clean dishes, utensils, surfaces, and your hands with a clean dishtowel or use a paper towel.
• Don't keep food around too long. Consume perishable and ready-to-eat food as soon as possible after you buy it, especially once you've opened it – even if it hasn't yet passed the "use by" date. This date refers to unopened products.
• Check the temperature in your fridge and freezer. As a general precaution to help protect your food from contamination from a variety of disease-causing organisms, make sure your refrigerator is set between 35 and 40 degrees F and your freezer at or below zero. Use a refrigerator thermometer to confirm the temperature.

Remember that a cold fridge is helpful but not fool-proof:Listeria is a hardy organism that can survive and even continue to grow in cold temperatures (albeit more slowly). That's why you should always heat leftovers and precooked ready-to-eat food until they're steaming hot. It's also why it's a good idea to clean your refrigerator regularly.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - NICU

What is the neonatal unit?

The neonatal unit provides expert, round-the-clock care for newborn babies who are ill or born prematurely. If your baby is in the hospital's neonatal unit, you are not alone. One in nine babies born in England will spend time on the neonatal unit. 

There are different levels of care available on neonatal units. Depending on your baby's needs, she will be in one of these units: 

• Neonatal intensive care, for the most seriously ill babies.


• High-dependency care, for babies who do not need to be in the NICU but who still require complex care.


• Special care, for babies who are catching up on growth and development after a premature birth. These babies have less serious health problems or are getting better after more complex treatment.

There might also be transitional care. This happens just before your baby is ready to go home. Transitional care gives you a chance to take care of your baby yourself, but with the nurses nearby. Sometimes this means staying in a side room on the neonatal ward with your baby for a while. 

Every hospital has a neonatal unit, but some may not be equipped to provide the level of care your baby needs. Your baby might therefore have to be transferred to a unit far from your home. This could also happen if your local hospital does not have enough room.

Why does my baby need to be in the neonatal unit?

Premature babies need extra help while their bodies catch up on the growth and development they missed in the uterus (womb). For example, it's harder for your baby to stay warm because she can’t regulate her own body temperature yet. A special cot (incubator) can help with this. 

If your baby is too small, weak or immature to feed, she might receive fluids and a nutrition mixture through a drip. Or she might need a tube that carries milk into her stomach. 

Premature babies also need extra monitoring, treatment and care. They are vulnerable and can have serioushealth problems. Some of the common problems associated with premature birth are: 

• breathing problems
• bleeding in the brain
• heart conditions
• gut and digestive disorders
• eye problems
• jaundice
• anaemia
• infections

In the neonatal unit, the nurses and doctors are always checking for the signs of any of these problems. They can treat your baby promptly if they need to.

Who will care for my baby in the unit?

On the neonatal unit, a skilled team from different professions will care for your baby. Some of the people you may meet include: 

• Staff and specialist neonatal nurses.


• The senior nurse in charge of the unit, called the sister or unit manager.


• Consultant paediatrician or neonatologist, who leads your baby's care.


• Other specialist doctors, such as surgeons.


• Staff grade doctors.


• Junior doctors.


• Physiotherapists to help with your baby's development.


• Radiographers, who take x-rays and scans.


• Dietitians who advise on nutrition.


• Pharmacists.


• Nursery nurses.


• A social worker to help you with family issues, financial worries, and support that might be needed after you take your baby home.

Last but not least, there's you, the parents. You know your baby best and are always her most important carers. The professionals will recognise this and treat you as part of the team. They should encourage you to take an active part in your baby's care, as far as possible. 

As well as looking after your baby, neonatal units also try to help you, your partner and your baby’s brothers and sisters. This is called family-centred care. 

Most hospitals have an open-doors policy and their neonatal units are open 24 hours a day for parents to visit. Others have more restricted visiting hours. 

If you're not at the hospital, you can call the neonatal unit any time, day or night. Always ask questions or talk to the staff about any worries you may have.

What are all those machines and tubes for?

It can be scary to see your baby attached to all sorts of machines. It can make you feel that you will never get the chance to be close to her. Be reassured that as your baby gets stronger, she will need fewer machines and it will be easier for you to hold her and care for her. 

Some of these machines also have loud bleeping alarms and it can be frightening when they go off. Feel free to ask the nurses if you don't know what an alarm means, and whether it's anything serious. 

Here is some of the equipment you could see in a neonatal unit: 

Baby warmers 

An incubator is a special cot that keeps your baby warm and sometimes controls the moisture level (humidity) around her. Some incubators have lids, some don't. Some have overhead heaters. 

Monitors 

There are various monitors that help the neonatal unit's team care for your baby. 

Vital signs monitors are machines that might be used to keep track of your baby's heart beat, breathing rate, blood pressure and temperature. Nurses will attach sticky pads to your baby's chest. The pads are in turn attached to wires, which feed through electronic information to the monitor about how your baby is doing. The monitor alarms can sound off quite often. 

Blood saturation monitors measures how much oxygen is in your baby's blood. Sticky pads might be strapped to your baby's foot or hand to feed information to the machine. 

Help with breathing 

A ventilator can help your baby's lungs do the work of breathing. Your baby might need a ventilator if she is very premature or weak. The doctor will gently insert a tube into your baby's windpipe. Via the tube, the ventilator feeds a mixture of air and oxygen mixture into and out of your baby's lungs, mimicing a breathing pattern. 

A CPAP machine (the capitals stand for continuous positive airway pressure) is another piece of equipment that can help your baby breathe. A CPAP machine gently inflates your baby's lungs and helps to keep them open. Air goes in through a mask or via a tube in your baby's nose called a nasal cannula. 

If your baby just needs extra oxygen, her incubator might have a see-through head box to help with this or she might receive oxygen through a mask or a nasal cannula. 

Tubes 

The unit's team may place a fine needle attached to a tube in your baby's veins to make sure she receives the fluids, medicines or nutrition she needs. The team may also insert tubes in her arteries to test her blood pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. 

An infusion pump is a machine that makes sure that your baby receives her medicines and fluids via tubes at the right rate and speed. 

A feeding (gastric) tube enables your baby to have milk fed straight into her tummy if she is not ready to feed from the breast or bottle. Nurses will gently insert a soft, flexible tube through your baby's mouth or nose and down into her stomach. 

Special lights 

Phototherapy lights help your baby to recover if she has jaundice. Many newborns have jaundice. Their skin turns yellow because a substance called bilirubin builds up faster than their bodies can break it down. 

Phototherapy lights helps your baby's body to convert the bilirubin to a harmless substance until her body can do this by itself. The lights also convert the bilirubin to a form that is more easily excreted. Your baby is placed under the lights and wears a mask to protect her eyes.

What about visiting my baby in the unit?

Parents are usually allowed to be with their baby any time, day or night. Brothers and sisters are often encouraged to visit, too. Other people may be able to visit but not too many at once. 

Generally speaking, it's not a good idea for people with colds and flu to visit the unit. Ask one of the nurses about your unit's policies.

How can I help my baby while she is in the unit?

Your premature baby needs all the things that other babies need from their parents. Your touch, your voice and your presence all help a great deal. There are many things you can do to help your baby while she is in the neonatal unit. Here are just some of them: 

Kangaroo care 

Once your baby is strong enough, one very good way to help her development is kangaroo care. You simply hold your baby inside your shirt, against your bare skin. Kangaroo care is soothing for your baby, and can improve her health and development. 

In studies, kangaroo care has been shown to reduce infections, encouragebreastfeeding and promote bonding. Staff on the unit can show you how to hold your baby when she is ready. 

Feed your baby 

As your baby gets stronger you can start feeding her, too. If you're keen tobreastfeed let the nurses know. They should make every effort to help you with this. 

The nurses should help you to express your milk in the early days before your baby is strong enough to breastfeed. The expressed milk will be stored and used to feed her when she is ready. 

Giving your premature baby breastmilkcan encourage her brain developmentand help her to fight illness. Breastfed babies also go home from hospital sooner. 

It's not always easy to breastfeed when your baby is premature, for all sorts of reasons. It's especially hard when you are stressed and worried about your baby. So do make sure that you get lots of help and support. 

Care for your baby 

It may take some time, but as your baby gets stronger you can start doing all those ordinary things that most parents take for granted, such aschanging her nappy and giving her a bath. 

Speak up for your baby 

Like all parents, sometimes you have to speak up for your child and be their advocate. If you think something is wrong, trust your instincts. Talk to the staff. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to voice your worries or concerns. 

Look after yourself 

One of the most important things you and your partner can do for your baby is look after yourselves. Get somesleep, eat regular, balanced meals, and take a break from it all. 

It's exhausting having a baby in the neonatal unit, especially if you have other children or if you're recovering from a difficult birth. It's natural to put your baby first but be good to yourself, too. 

When can my baby come home? 

It's hard to say because all babies are different. It depends on how your baby’s doing. Babies who are smaller and those born sooner tend to have more problems and so tend to stay longer on the unit. 

A premature baby who is otherwise well usually stays in the neonatal unit until around the date she was due to be born. If your baby is doing really well, she might even be able to come home sooner than this. 

Premature Babies

Every baby is an individual, so there's no single answer that fits them all. Babies born earliest or smallest are most likely to have health problems. 

We have a lot of evidence now from two large studies of the very earliest premature babies. 

In the EPICure study, researchers followed the progress of extremely premature babies who were born in 1995. 

Hospital care for premature babies has improved tremendously since then, so the researchers are also studying another group of babies born in 2006. This is the EPICure 2 study. 

These studies included babies who had no more than 26 weeks in the uterus (womb). The usual time for a baby to stay in the uterus (womb) is 40 weeks. Babies born at around 40 weeks are described as being born at term. Some of the oldest children have now been followed up until the age of 11. 

A premature baby's chance of surviving has improved dramatically over the years. But it does appear that extremely premature babies still face greater health and developmentchallenges. 

Cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, behaviour problems and respiratory conditions are more common than in children who were born at term. 

However, bear in mind that these studies involved the earliest, tiniest babies. Few babies are extremely premature. Most premature babies, 80 per cent, arrive between 32 weeks and 36 weeks, and they are often called late preterms. 

In general, the longer babies can stay in the uterus, or the closer they are to term, the better building blocks they have for good health in the future.

What are the common health problems for premature newborns?

Many premature babies have breathing problems at birth. This is because their lungs did not have enough time to mature before they were born. For a while, your baby might need to be on a ventilator or a gentler type of breathing machine called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). 

A very small number of babies will still need oxygen when they go home from hospital. Most of these babies will eventually come off oxygen. 

Some premature babies are born with heart problems and may need surgery. In the early days, premature babies are also vulnerable to bleeding on the brain, serious infections and bowel problems. Specialist doctors and nurses will monitor your baby closely for signs of any illness.

Will my baby have long-term health problems?

Your doctor may already have told you about a health problem that your baby faces. Usually, though, it's a case of watch and wait. 

The uncertainty can make this a stressful time for families. Parents who've been through it advise taking one day at a time. The risks are highest for babies born the earliest and smallest. Remember, each baby is different and children beat the odds every day.

Will my baby grow up to be smaller than other children of her age?

It really depends on how early your baby was born. Care for premature babies gets better all the time. This means there's been an improvement in how well premature babies grow and gain weight. For at least the first two years, your baby's healthcare team will probably take her prematurity into account when they weigh and measure her.

Will my baby walk, crawl and talk at the same time as other babies?

Always keep in mind your baby's corrected age. This is the number of weeks or months since her due date, not the actual date she was born. For example, if she was born two months early, you could expect her to reach these milestones two months later than a full-term baby who was born on the same date.

Will my baby go on to have problems when she is school age?

Some children who were born prematurely need extra support at school, but by no means all. Again, much depends on how early your baby was born. 

The media tend to report stories about children's abilities based on the EPICure findings. But media storiesmay not give an accurate picture. That's because the EPICure studies focused on the smallest and earliest babies, which make up a minority of premature babies. Also, these are the babies who have the most health challenges to overcome. 

The EPICure studies have followed children who were born extremely prematurely up to the age of 11. The studies found that these children were more likely to have learning and behaviour problems than children who were born at term. 

This group of children especially had problems with memory, language and problem- solving. They were more likely to struggle with school subjects. About half of children who were born extremely prematurely have below average performance at school, compared with five per cent of their classmates. 

Babies born later, between 32 weeks and 36 weeks (late preterms) have less difficulty at school, but may still struggle more than their full-term peers. In a large study, 71 per cent of late preterm children were successful in key stage one assessments, compared to 79 per cent of children born at term. 

However early your child was born, it is worth making sure that her health visitor and teachers keep a close eye on her early development. Then you can be sure she gets the extra help she may need, from preschoolonwards. 

Bear in mind that your child's performance at school could be affected by the time of year she was born too. So babies born in the summer, just before the academic year starts, tend to do less well than autumn or winter-born babies. 

Not surprisingly, the same effect is true for babies born prematurely. If your baby was born prematurely in July or August, she will be even younger than the youngest term-born babies, developmentally. 

This could help you keep things in perspective when the time comes for parents' evenings at school. 

Be assured that most premature babies thrive as they grow. See our photo gallery of prem babies then and now, to see how well the featured children are doing.

What help can I get with caring for my baby at home?

You can call the neonatal unit about any problems or worries, even after your baby has come home. Your baby is also likely to have follow-up appointments. 

If your baby needs extra care, you might have home visits from specialist nurses. You can also get help, advice and care for your baby from yourhealth visitor and your family doctor. 

Arissa Hawani - Mama Rindu

Assalamualaikum.. Arissa sayang.. Mama rindu dengan Arissa.. Mama pendam.. Mama kuatkan semangat demi papa, adelia dan lebih utama demi Arissa.. Hari ni papa pergi register surat beranak Arissa di JPN Putrajaya.. Alhamdulillah.. 

Oficially ur name is ARISSA HAWANI BINTI SHAMSURIZAM.. Maksud nya, anak mama kuat, seorang yg penyayang.. InshaAllah sayang.. Arissa memang kuat.. Anak mama dah xkembung di perut.. Oxygen tube ke paru2 pun dah dikeluarkan.. Sekarang pakai tube dihidung.. Arissa ade kuning sikit.. 200 plus.. Arissa under lampu sekarang.. Namun mama perhati tadi, Arissa nampak berisi.. Syukur.. Nanti bila dah sambung susu, Arissa akan lebih sihat.. 

Arissa ade respon pada sentuhan mama.. Everytime mama sentuh, arissa bergerak.. Arissa genggam jari mama.. Jari halus arissa tuh.. Geram mama.. Mama sentuh dada arissa.. Ade kulit kering.. Kaki, lutut arissa, keras.. Arissa kan kuat.. Mama pegang pipi arissa.. Sangat lembut.. Sihat lh sayang.. Doa mama sentiasa bersamamu.. 

Adelia yang x mengerti lagi.. 

Arissa Hawani - Ujian Pertama

Assalamualaikum.. Tengahari Semalam mama dapat call dari hospital sg buloh.. Mama dah berdebar dah.. Bila dia cakap dari NICU lagi lah mama takut.. Nurse tanya, mama n papa kat mana.. Mama bgtau ade kat rumah.. Dah discharged.. Nurse kata mintak datang sign surat untuk masukkan ubat untuk Arissa.. Mama tanya ubat ape? Tapi nurse ckp, dtg dulu nanti doktor explain.. 

Mama terus panggil papa yg tengah tido keletihan.. Papa bgun, solat n terus g hospital.. Mama hanya dapat berdoa, tiada ape yg serius.. Papa dah sampai wad NICU.. Papa bgtau ade bakteria dlm darah arissa.. Perut arissa kembung.. Sampai nampak urat2 perut.. Doktor nak bagi ubat antibiotik utk lawan kuman tuh.. N maybe kalau arissa alergik pada ubat tuh, arissa akan dapat side effect.. 

Mama menangis bila dapat tahu.. Papa kata sabar.. Papa tgh tunggu sampai nurse masukkan ubat.. Papa balik dengan muka penat.. Mama tahu papa menangis dlm diam.. Papa xtunjuk dengan mama.. Sepanjang malam mama menangis fikirkan kesakitan arissa.. Tambah pulak dengan adelia xberapa sihat.. Banyak betul dugaannya.. Sabar lah wahai hati.. Demi anak anak dan suami tercinta.. 

Ptg nih papa g tgk arissa.. Alhamdulillah.. Syukur.. Setinggi kesyukuran pada Allah, doktor bgtahu, arissa keluar awal sbb ade jangkitan kuman.. Rasa bersalah dalam diri mama.. Kuman ape yg mama bawak utk arissa? Ape silap mama? Namin syukur arissa dah respon pada antibiotik.. Perut dah xkembung.. Arissa boleh start minum susu lps doktor rasa arissa ready.. Alhmdulillah.. Bintik2 merah pada dada n perut arissa juga dah hilang.. Syukur.. Patut lah arissa nak kuar awal.. Arissa sakit didalam sana ye.. Maaf kan mama sayang.. Maafkan mama.. Kejahilan mama buatkan arissa sakit..

Arissa Hawani - Kekuatan Mama Kurniaan Allah

Assalamualaikum.. Arissa sayang.. Mama memang menunggu kehadiran Arissa dalam keluarga kita.. Arissa anak yang dikasihi.. Mama doakan Arissa sembuh.. Diberi kesihatan yang baik.. Moga Allah panjangkan usia Arissa.. Untuk jadi anak yang solehah.. Hamba Allah yg bertakwa.. Arissa penyambung keturunan Mama n Papa.. 

Arissa.. Jangan ade rasa kesal sayang.. Mama terima anugerah Allah.. Mama terima Arissa bagaimana mama menerima Adelia.. Arissa sembuh nanti, boleh jumpa kakak.. Arissa mesti ingat, suara kecik yang selalu memanggil Arissa pada waktu pagi n malam.. Arissa ingat suara Mama? Mama bacakan yassin utk Arissa.. Ingat tak? Mama selalu borak ngan Arissa.. Mama selalu mintak dengan Allah.. Semoga Arissa sihat, sempurna tubuh badan.. Arissa, ingat papa?? Beberapa hari sebelum kelahiran Arissa, papa yang selalu sapu minyak pada perut.. Papa selalu rasa pergerakan Arissa.. Bila mama fikir, Arissa anak yg baik.. Arissa tau bila mama n papa tegur Arissa..

Arissa sayang, kini Arissa dah lahir ke dunia.. Arissa, belum sihat lagi.. Arissa perlukan alat bantuan sokongan.. Semalam Arissa diberi ubat utk lawan bakteria dalam darah.. Semoga usaha doktor2 dan nurse yg jaga Arissa dipermudahkan... Allah akan lindungi Arissa.. Malaikat dikiri kanan akan jaga Arissa.. Mama n papa akan sepalu doa moga Arissa dirahmati dan diberi kesembuhan sepenuhnya.. 

Arissa Hawani - Breastfeeding Journey

Semenjak Arissa keluar, mama xpump lagi.. Barang2 pun xbawak..  Tapi, bila nurse bgtau, Arissa boleh minum susu dah, mama pun xtunggu.. Terus usaha pump.. First pump dapat 30ml.. Cukup untuk separuh hari.. Sbb Arissa just minum 3cc je.. Itupun 2 jam sekali..  Syukur, Allah memudahkan penyusuan mama.. Susu banyak.. Mama yakin..

Syukur alhamdulillah, dapat 50ml hari ni.. Moga mama dipermudahkan utk menyusu Arissa.. 

Arissa Hawani - Keazaman Mama

On friday.. Register je terus masuk air

Dah dapat JAM baru.. Macam adelia cakap..

My beautiful, STRONG, SURVIVOR, my little Arissa Hawani.. Get well soon sayang...

Arissa Hawani - Kekuatan Mama, Papa n Adel

Assalamualaikum... 5/12/13.. Mama xdpat rasa pergerakan Arissa.. Mama balik awal.. Main dgn Adelia.. Then, mama rasa xsedap badan.. Naik atas, tdo kjp.. Papa hntr adelia ke atas, tido dgn mama.. Si manja papa, menangis lh ditinggal papa nya.. Mama buka upin ipin, Adelia layan sampai tertido.. Mama betul2 rasa xsihat.. Sumthing is not right.. Mama bertahan sampi mlm.. 

Jumaat.. 6/12/13...

Lps subuh, mama nk turun buat susu atuk, tapi bdn rasa xlarat sgt2222.. Mama panggil papa, buatkan susu atuk n susu adelia.. Mama pun baring n dah dapat rasa contraction.. Maha hebat nyer contraction... Mama dah start time.. 4/5 minit contraction.. Masih berbaring n papa ajak g klinik.. Mama pun ok.. Mama mandi air panas.. Sgt2 panas.. Then, mama siap2 slowly.. Papa mndikan Adelia n mama siapkan Adelia.. Sakit masih terasa.. Amat2 sgt sakit.. Mama tahan.. Turun bawah perlahan2 n prepare  brg adelia.. Ajk abh breakfast.. Abah ok.. Abh ckp, tunggu jap, abh mndi.. 

Hantar abah kat MMZ, kitrg gerak g DEMC.. Mama tunggu papa kat tepi lif.. Xlarat.. Sakit sgt..

Dr fairus xde.. Yg ade dR thanee je.. Xkisah lah.. Asalkan ade org yg check.. Masuk bilik dR, borak2 kenalkan diri.. Then baring, scan baby.. Baby still kepala kat atas.. DR suruh buat urine test.. Turun bawah nak amik urine, mama dapat rasa airkeluar.. Mama duduk kjp.. Masuk toilet, mama tgk, dah ade darah.. Mama kencing dlm bks n pggil papa kjp.. Mama tunjuk darah.. Papa tgk n lari g beli panties liner.. Berlari-lari papa.. Mama jln ke toilet smbil tahan sakit.. Tukar pad then papa g mintak wheel chair.. 

Naik atas, mama xtahan lagi.. Menangis.. DR buat VE n bgtau dh ade opening 2cm.. Dr explain semua keadaan n mama faham.. 

Terus g hospital sungai buloh.. Bill xbayar lagi.. Mama terus call kakcik n mintak dia balik... Tolong jagakan Adelia.. Sambil nangis2,xtahan rasanya bila keadaan nih jd pada kita sayang.. Mama selalu doakan keadaan yg terbaik utk kita.. Smpi kat hospital, papa terus lari n g bgtau masalah mama.. DR standby dtg.. Trs bawak masuk.. Mama sorang je.. Mama takut.. Xpnh tgk org seramai nih.. Dr pun start lh buat semua procedure.. Ubat utk stop kan contraction, ditambah lg 2 biji.. Masuk air.. Check perut.. CTG, scan baby.. VE lagi.. Mama menangis tahan sakit.. 

At 6pm, contraction lg teruk.. DR lain plak dtg, check lg n bgtau we go for operation.. Mama dh nangis.. DR melisa bgtau sume risiko.. Terus tukr baju.. Buka sume rantai.. Panggil papa.. Xde.. G solat.. Mama sabar smbil beristifar.. 6.15pm papa dtg, dR explain.. Mama harap this is the best for u my girl.. 6.30pm, mama dibawa ke tingkat 3, operation room.. Masuk bius kat tulang blkg.. Mama baca doa nabi yunus.. Xberhenti dari mulut mama.. Dah siap bius.. dR thong pakar bedah OnG dtg.. Terus mama dapat rasa ade bende bergerak.. Diambil dari mama.. Its u sayang.. My princess.. Sambil bc doa, mama tanya dR bius, baby senyap je?? DR kata, they haf bring ur baby .. Mama pun xtanya lg..mama tgk jam pukul 6.44pm.. That time maybe u were born.. Mama menggigil.. Sangat2 menggigil.. Sampai kene letak heater.. 

Siap operation pukul bape pun mama xtau. Mama dah mamai..tau3 diorang dah bawak mama g wad.. Pemerhatian lps Operation.. Papa dah ade dgn arissa.. Mak lang tunggu mama.. Sampai kat wad, mama pening, low blood pressure.. Mama xleh fikir dah.. Mamai je.. Bilik tuh dah nampak berpusing laju.. Terus smpai di wad 6C.. Katil 17.. Mama baring n nurse dtg selalu check bp n darah..diorang amik darah mama utk bagi arissa.. Mama tertido n mama dgr suara mak lang, suara papa.. Mama tau papa ade dgn mama.. Papa bercerita pasal arissa.. Keadaan sayang..tapi mama pun dgr xdgr sbb mamai..

Sabtu.. 7/12/12..

Papa dtg awal hari ni.. Update pasal arissa.. Mama bgtau mama akan tukar bilik.. N maybe boleh discharged soon.. Dr pun update on arissa.. Dia kata arissa is a miracle..1.45kg baby born at age of 28 weeks plus.. Arissa pun ready nak minum susu.. Mama xsabar nak tgk arissa.. Tengahari mama g tgk.. Arissa was so like mama.. Rambut kerinting.. Mata sayu mama.. Hidung.. Sama mcm mama.. Mama love u.. Sume dtg lawat.. Xsampai hati tgk mak abah risau lan anak n cucunya.

Ahad.. 8/12/13..

Mama boleh discharged.. Mama happy tapi rasa susah hati sbb tingglkan arissa..hopefully Allah kurniakn arissa kekuatan, utk hadapi sume nih..