When you hear the words “you might deliver early”, one of the first questions you might ask is “What do I do now?” Depending on the causes of your preterm delivery risk, you may be offered medical treatments like medications, you may be admitted to the hospital for observation, or you may be told that there’s nothing you can do. It’s completely normal to feel helpless. The desperation and urgency to find something to do can contribute to the stress and fear you’re already feeling.
Five things we suggest you do if you may deliver preterm
1. Ask a lot of questions
It’s ok to have a lot of questions and it’s even more ok to ask them all. Do not let your medical team make you feel like you cannot ask what is on your mind. You have every right to know everything they know as it pertains to your risks.
Make sure you understand the details of exactly what health condition(s) is/are putting you at risk for delivering early. Be sure you’re clear about how early you may deliver, and what that means for your health and your baby’s health. Ask them what anticipated care your baby will need after being born.
2. Ensure your hospital has the best NICU for your baby
There are 4 NICU levels and each level provides a very specific type of care for babies. Not every hospital is prepared to provide care for babies born at all gestational ages. Make sure you will be delivering at a hospital that has a NICU with the equipment and staff best able to provide the care your doctors anticipate that your baby will need.
3. Research your health insurance benefits
A NICU stay can get very expensive. Look into secondary insurance and supplemental security income (SSI) as quickly as possible if you think you will need it. Many preterm infants who are born very premature, extremely premature, or are very ill will qualify for SSI so make sure you know your options.
4. Take a NICU tour
If you can’t do one because of activity restrictions or lack of time, ask to speak to a NICU staff member on the phone and get all of your questions answered about what the NICU stay will be like. Prepare yourself for what that transition might be, who will be on your baby’s care team, and in what ways the NICU will involve you in your baby’s care.
5. Stay away from Google
Seriously. You will only scare yourself. Preterm infants are as unique as fingerprints and statistics are only general guidelines that may not even apply to your baby. There is a lot information out there that may not be applicable for your specific situation so make sure the information you are taking in is from a trusted source who knows your specific circumstances.
Instead of falling down the Google rabbit hole, spend your energy reading Pregnancy Brain and working through Pregnancy Brain Course to learn what body-based techniques you can use to help improve certain pregnancy complications.
