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Ideally, babies are born 40 to 42 weeks after conception. This gives their bodies time to develop properly. Giving birth before reaching 37 weeks of gestation is considered preterm birth. According to the , approximately 10% of all babies born in America are premature and can potentially have health issues.��

“We know how stressful it can be to receive information that something might not be as you expected during the pregnancy or after,” says Ericalyn Kasdorf, M.D., Director of the Fetal Care Center at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ, associate attending pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian Phyllis and David Komansky Children’s Hospital at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ and associate professor of clinical pediatrics at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ. “We really tailor your care so that it’s personalized to you and to your baby.”��

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Take a moment to learn about the risk factors, effects and treatment of prematurity.��

Causes of Prematurity��

It’s often impossible to identify why a child is born prematurely. However, there are many risk factors that increase the likelihood of preterm labor, including:��

Risks Preterm Babies Face��

Because their organs are often underdeveloped, premature babies can face a variety of health issues. Some of these include:��

Caring for Preemies��

When it comes to caring for premature infants, intervention starts as early as possible. Experts at the Fetal Care Center at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ and NewYork-Presbyterian prefer to see the mother-to-be before giving birth.����

“If there’s the potential for any care or tests beyond all routine well newborn care, a Fetal Care Center consult is encouraged,” says Jessica Scholl, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., maternal-fetal medicine specialist at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ. “This allows the family to discuss next steps of care once the baby is born.”��

At the Fetal Care Center, a multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive services for premature infants. With a level IV neonatal intensive care unit, even extremely premature infants receive care in a private, quiet environment.��

Working With a Team����

During pregnancy, you may undergo ultrasounds and other imaging studies or tests that can help detect potential issues your child may face after birth. Based on your child’s risk, a team of experts comes alongside you to ensure your child receives the right treatment at the right time.����

• Pediatric experts who may be part of your team include:��
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• Ear, nose and throat specialists��
• Geneticists and genetic counselors��
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists��
• Neonatologists��
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• Orthopedic surgeons��
• Urologists��

Together, these experts provide quality care throughout pregnancy and beyond.��

Serving You Along the Way��

While developing your child’s care plan, the care team includes you, the parent, in every decision. The team of experts goes out of their way to keep families engaged in their children’s care plan.��

“Our job is to provide parents and families the most accurate and evidence-based information about their baby,” Dr. Scholl says. “Then, we offer all the options that are available and support them in their decisions about what is really best for their families.”��

Depending on your needs, you can take advantage of one or more of the following services at the Fetal Care Center:��

Meeting Baby’s Needs��

Premature babies have unique needs. Fortunately, they can all be met at the Fetal Care Center. Your care team may prescribe one or more of the following:��

“The collaboration of care you’ll see at our center and with our teams is truly unparallelled,” Dr. Kasdorf says. “We have access to the best obstetricians, neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists, and we will make sure your care is coordinated so families can make the best decision in a supportive and compassionate environment.”��

The village of specialists at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ is eager to help your baby return home safely and quickly.��

If you’re experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, contact the Fetal Care Center at �ձ�avɫ��Ƭ at 833-923-3825 for compassionate, expert care along your journey.��