What does it really mean to have a premature baby? What challenges do these little fighters face and how can parents navigate this unexpected journey? This week on Parents You've Got This – The Expert Guide to Parenthood we are talking about premature babies.   

November 17 is World Prematurity Day, and we welcome back our Peadiatrician Dr Lexi Frydenberg to share insights into what to expect if you have a premature baby. Christy Hopwood co-host shares a parent’s perspective on what it was like having a premature baby. 

Dr Lexi is an experienced General Paediatrician specialising in the care of children (and their families) from birth to eighteen who experience a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions (or clinical conditions). She is also a passionate educator and mother of 3.

We discuss: 

•  The different levels of prematurity and what the premature classification means 
• The most common reasons a baby may be born premature
• How common it is for a baby to be born prematurely
• What percentage of women give birth to a premature baby 
• What happens to a baby in hospital if the baby is born premature including NICU and special care nurseries
• What medical conditions premature babies face
• What it means for a baby’s organs and respiratory system if they are not fully developed when born premature
• What a typical NICU journey looks like for a baby born at 22 weeks, 26 weeks, 32 weeks and 35 weeks premature

• Are there long-term developmental challenges for premature babies
• Are there long term cognitive challenges for premi babies
• What the ‘corrected age’ of a premature baby means when it comes to tracking a baby's development
• How paediatricians and health professionals monitor and support premature babies as they grow
• Where can parents can go for additional support
• Christy explains what it was like having her first baby 'Hope' as a premature baby and shares words of wisdom from her experience.

Never forget Parents You've Got This 

The Expert Guide To Parenthood Podcast is proudly supported by Mustela natural origin skincare, by parents' side since 1950.

Follow us Social :

Instagram: @parentsyouvegotthis_au

Threads @parentsyouvegotthis_au

TikTok:@partentsyouvegotthis_au

Facebook:@parentsyouvegotthis

__________________________________

Parents You've Got This offers antenatal and postnatal parenting education and Masterclasses from the planning phase to early preschool.

Learn more: parentsyouvegotthis.com.au

__________________________________

Parents You've Got This offers antenatal and postnatal parenting education and Masterclasses from the planning phase to early preschool.

Learn more: parentsyouvegotthis.com.au

Credits: Producer Dean Thomas, Camera person Tim Hehir, Content and Hosts Parents You've Got This

Thank you Think HQ for the beautiful podcast recording space