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Premature Birth Distress
Premature birth – when a baby arrives early – can come as a shock. The early days and weeks can take a huge toll on parents, and have a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing.
When a baby is born prior to 37 weeks gestation, this is known as a preterm birth. Babies born prior to 32 weeks are classified as very preterm. Around 5,000 babies are born very preterm every year in Australia.
Premature birth can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on parents, often triggering intense feelings of fear, helplessness, and grief. The unexpected early arrival of a baby can be a traumatic experience, leaving parents unprepared for the medical complexities and prolonged hospital stays that often follow. The uncertainty of their baby’s health, the stress of navigating the NICU, and the disruption of their envisioned birth experience can contribute to anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Parents may struggle with feelings of guilt, questioning if they could have done something differently to prevent preterm birth, while also facing challenges in bonding with their baby due to medical interventions and limited physical contact. Emotional support from healthcare providers, peer support groups, and mental health professionals is crucial in helping parents cope, process their emotions, and build confidence in caring for their preterm baby as they transition from hospital to home.
