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Birth of pre-term babies at the Upper East Regional Hospital on the rise

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A Neonatal Nurse Specialist in the Upper East Regional Hospital Madam Sheila Nigre has said the incidence of the birth of pre-term babies at the Upper East Regional Hospital is on the rise. To increase the survival rate of the pre-term babies, Madam Nigre has cautioned mothers and caregivers to take particular attention when caring for pre-term babies.

Speaking to Samuel Mbura on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show, Madam Nigre named infections and medical conditions related to the female reproductive system as reasons for the birth of pre-term babies. She added that teenage mothers, because of the underdevelopment of their reproductive systems are highly to giving birth before they are due at 9 months.

The Neonatal Nurse continued to say, “a woman that develops hypertension in pregnancy stands a high chance of having a pre-term baby. Other forms of infections are also reasons for a mother to bear a pre-term baby”.

She encouraged pregnant women to begin Antenatal Care (ANC) visits to the various health facilities early as this will inform health professionals if there are any immediate or future health complications that need to be dealt with.

“One does not just diagnose a pre-term patient unless through numerous scans. A person who has experienced that [pre-term birth] before stands a high level of having another pre-term baby,” she said.

She said the nature of the care of pre-term babies is directly linked to the baby’s survival. She said while the hospital has a number of incubators, it needs more to be able to function effectively. Madam Nigre said due to the inadequacy, more than one baby is sometimes put into a single incubator; this she explained is an incredibly risky move particularly when one baby may be carrying an infection.

The Neonatal Nurse also mentioned that pre-term babies are fed through a cup, or a tube also known as NG tube. The tube is passed through the nostrils of the baby. Alternatively, the babies can also be fed by breastfeeding.

A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz| Diana Quansah|Ghana

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