Mami of Multiples

RSV Prevention and Preemie Awareness Day

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During my pregnancy with my twin boys, I was considered a high-risk pregnancy.  Almost always women who are carrying twins or multiples are considered high-risk because of the complications that can be associated with carrying more than one child within the womb.  Having already given birth naturally to my eldest son years earlier, I was conscious about the difference in pregnancies from carrying one to now two babies at once.  Most of my pregnancy was pretty normal in terms of carrying twins and symptoms.  I knew and understand that most multiples were born early and have a high rate of being born early, premature labor (preemies).  Statistics show that seventy percent of multiples are born before their due date. With triplets, quadruplets and other higher order multiples, the odds are higher, nearly 100 percent. 

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I was prepared and scheduled for a C-section in mid-December.  My husband had been on military deployment overseas for almost the entire pregnancy and I knew he would be home December to witness the birth of the twins.  However, two unexpected things occurred…my husband came home in mid-November and my water broke in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day.  The twins arrived at 35 weeks at on Thanksgiving Day weighing in at 4lbs and 5 oz and 4lbs and 13 oz.  Although premature, thankfully, the twins were healthy and developed enough that they did not have to spend any of the time in the hospital in the NICU or inside of an incubator.  However, for the more than half a million American babies born prematurely each year, this often isn’t the case. Many parents of preterm infants are unprepared for the special medical care preemies often require.

According to a March of Dimes survey, most expecting parents don’t discuss preterm birth with their doctor during prenatal care, even if they are at high risk. November 17 has been designated as World Prematurity Day to help raise awareness about preterm birth and its complications, including the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Prematurity, defined as being born before 37 weeks completed gestation, disrupts a baby’s development in the womb, often stunting the growth of some of the body’s most critical organs. At birth, preemies often have difficulty with breathing, feeding and maintaining temperature. Because their immune systems haven’t had time to fully mature, preterm infants are more likely to develop infections, and because their lungs are underdeveloped, they are more susceptible to respiratory problems.

For example, nearly every baby contracts respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by age two. In most full-term babies, symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and parents may not even know their child has the virus. However, because they don’t have the antibodies needed to fight off infection, preterm infants—even those born just a few weeks early—are at increased risk for developing an RSV-related infection, often requiring medical attention or hospitalization. Parents should speak with their pediatrician to find out if their baby is at high risk for developing severe RSV disease, and how they can prevent against RSV this winter.

RSV Quick Facts

·         RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.

·         RSV occurs in epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.

·         Certain regions have longer RSV seasons than others, with the season beginning as early as July (e.g., Florida) or ending in April.

·         Despite its prevalence, one-third of mothers have never heard of RSV.

Prevention is Key

There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take the following preventive steps to help protect their child:

·         Wash hands, toys, bedding, and play areas frequently

·         Ensure you, your family, and any visitors in your home wash their hands or use hand sanitizer

·         Avoid large crowds and people who may be sick

·         Never let anyone smoke near your baby

·         Speak with your child’s doctor if you believe he or she may be at high risk for RSV, as a preventive therapy may be available

Be Aware of Symptoms

Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:

·         Persistent coughing or wheezing

·         Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths

·         Blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails

·         High fever

·         Extreme fatigue

·         Difficulty feeding


With more 13 million babies worldwide affected by prematurity, all parents should be aware of this important issue.  To learn more about RSV, visit www.rsvprotection.com. For more about the specialized health needs of preterm infants, visit www.preemievoices.com.

Disclosure: “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Comments

  1. What an adorable newborn picture of your twins! A great blessing on Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing such important information about RSV!

  2. Happy Thanksgiving! My son developed RSV and it was a scary experience. We were in the hospital for about a week. Wish I would have known about the symptoms beforehand. Great post!