A mother definitely wants the birth of her baby to run smoothly and not far from the due date (HPL). However, there are certain conditions that can cause babies to be born prematurely, and need to be in the baby's incubator for some time.
Premature babies are babies born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. At that age, some of their organs are not fully developed. In order to survive outside the womb and adjust to a new environment, they will also be placed in an incubator.
Various Benefits of Incubators for Premature Babies
The incubator is a box-shaped device made of transparent plastic. This tool allows the baby to avoid bacterial infections and noise, as well as keep his body warm. Below are some reasons why premature babies need an incubator:
- Maintain baby's body temperature
In addition, the incubator is also useful for protecting babies from infections and substances that trigger allergies. Even though it's placed in an incubator, that doesn't mean you can't touch your baby. The nurse will tell you how to care for and touch your baby in the incubator.
- Give oxygenSome babies born prematurely can have problems with breathing so they are prone to lack of oxygen. In this condition, breathing apparatus can be used in the incubator, so that the oxygen intake for the little one can be fulfilled.
- Monitor baby's conditionThe health conditions of babies born prematurely require special attention. By placing the baby in an incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), doctors and nurses can monitor and measure the baby's heart rate, body temperature, breathing, oxygen levels, and blood pressure.
- Treating jaundiceBabies born prematurely tend to be more susceptible to jaundice. To treat it, the baby may need to be kept in an incubator and receive light therapy (phototherapy). Light therapy is useful for reducing the amount of yellow pigment (bilirubin) in the baby's body.
After being judged to be strong enough to get out of the incubator, the little one will be cared for in an ordinary baby care room and observed for several days. If it shows improvement, then the Little One will be allowed to go home. The nurse will also show how to bathe her, position her while sleeping, give her breast milk, and how to change her diaper.
With a baby incubator, your premature baby can grow into a healthy baby. As long as he is placed in a special box, don't hesitate to ask the pediatrician about the progress of his condition.
