Preemies : The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies

Rating:
Summary: The best book out there on the subject.
Review: As the mom of a preemie born at 23 weeks 6 days gestation I purchased 5 different books on the subject of preemies. I was anxious to learn all I could. This book is by far the best out of all the books that I purchased. This book gives comprehensive information for just about every condition that a premature baby may face. All those 3 letter acronyms ROP, PDA, BPD, IVH, etc. are explained in an easy to read format. Not only written from a doctors perspective , but also a parents perspective. It also talks about after the baby comes home and child development.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: During the five months our son has been in the NICU, this book has been absolutely invaluable. For nearly every ailment or condition preemies face, there is a very comprehensive, easy to understand explaination of treatments and long term impact. The book is organized chronilogically, from the time before birth until preschool and beyond. It is useful both when reading for the first time and as a reference, due to a very complete index. No parent of a NICU baby, especially a long-term NICU baby, should go without this book. If I could give it six stars, I would.

Rating:
Summary: The best of both worlds - Informative and caring!
Review: Even though I was an ICU nurse (adult) I was not prepared for the world I entered after my daughter was born at 26 weeks. When my daughter's medical conditions were explained to me the nurse in me wanted to know more so I searched the internet for help. Explanations were difficult to find and overly clinical or overly simplified. The mommy side needed reassurance and straight forward explanations. I purchased 2 books and found this one to be superior. The doctor's perspective and the parent's perspective are both given for each stage/situation as it arises. Up to date statistics and medical explanations are given with a clear, but caring demeanor. The question answer format was great! And major medical conditions are spotlighted which makes comprehending easy. I wish I had purchased this book sooner during the hospital stay. There is some information on the home stage, but not a lot. It may be better to puchase another book for that stage. I highly recommend this book and at $2200 a day the hospitals should be able to afford giving one to each preemie's parents in the NICU!

Rating:
Summary: The A-Z of Preemies!
Review: Everything you could want to know about your preemie, +++! From your high risk pregnancy to when your preemie is home, this book is a plethora of valuble, comprehensive information.

Rating:
Summary: 1st Time Mom of a 32wk Preemie
Review: I can't say enough about this book! What a help it has been for keeping my sanity and getting me through one of the most difficult times in my life. I was admitted to the hospital with premature labor at 20 weeks into my pregnancy. I stayed there for 3 months before delivering our son at the gestational age of 32 weeks, 4 days. Not knowing when I was actually going to deliver, this book explained everything one should expect at all stages of a pre-term delivery, beginning from 26 weeks through 34+ weeks. It covers reasons for premature labor and delivery, surgeries and drugs administered for premature labor, surviving bedrest/hospitalization, delivery, EVERYTHING to expect in a NICU, the differences between pre-term and full-term babies, bringing your preemie home, and their development during the chilhood years. Although I was not having twins, etc. myself, the book also includes a lot of great information on multiples. After reading and understanding the types of monitors and machinery my baby may have needed at each stage, I felt much better knowing WHY these things were attached to our son when he was born. My husband and I also took a tour of the NICU at our hospital (which I highly recommend!)so that it was much less of a shock when we found ourselves there after delivery. This book was right on the money, and we got to see everything they talked about hands-on. This is an excellent book to help anyone conquer the fears, worries and misconceptions of having a premature infant (and it also comes highly recommended from the nurses and neonatologists of our NICU as well!)

Rating:
Summary: 1st Time Mom of a 32wk Preemie
Review: I can't say enough about this book! What a help it has been for keeping my sanity and getting me through one of the most difficult times in my life. I was admitted to the hospital with premature labor at 20 weeks into my pregnancy. I stayed there for 3 months before delivering our son at the gestational age of 32 weeks, 4 days. Not knowing when I was actually going to deliver, this book explained everything one should expect at all stages of a pre-term delivery, beginning from 26 weeks through 34+ weeks. It covers reasons for premature labor and delivery, surgeries and drugs administered for premature labor, surviving bedrest/hospitalization, delivery, EVERYTHING to expect in a NICU, the differences between pre-term and full-term babies, bringing your preemie home, and their development during the chilhood years. Although I was not having twins, etc. myself, the book also includes a lot of great information on multiples. After reading and understanding the types of monitors and machinery my baby may have needed at each stage, I felt much better knowing WHY these things were attached to our son when he was born. My husband and I also took a tour of the NICU at our hospital (which I highly recommend!)so that it was much less of a shock when we found ourselves there after delivery. This book was right on the money, and we got to see everything they talked about hands-on. This is an excellent book to help anyone conquer the fears, worries and misconceptions of having a premature infant (and it also comes highly recommended from the nurses and neonatologists of our NICU as well!)

Rating:
Summary: very informative
Review: I delivered my daughter at 33 weeks by emergency C-section. During the next few weeks of staying at the hospital and spending time in the "special care" nursery, I read this book in the hospital guest room in between nursery visits. It was wonderful, and helped me keep my sanity. It explains all the high-tech stuff you'll see, talks about common problems in preemies, and puts everything into common language. Often I understood what they told me in the nursery, then forgot it once I left... sleep deprivation and stress does that to a person!... this book always had the answers I needed. If you are a new parent of a preemie, or know someone who is, I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: This book kept me calm while in the hospital!
Review: I delivered my daughter at 33 weeks by emergency C-section. During the next few weeks of staying at the hospital and spending time in the "special care" nursery, I read this book in the hospital guest room in between nursery visits. It was wonderful, and helped me keep my sanity. It explains all the high-tech stuff you'll see, talks about common problems in preemies, and puts everything into common language. Often I understood what they told me in the nursery, then forgot it once I left... sleep deprivation and stress does that to a person!... this book always had the answers I needed. If you are a new parent of a preemie, or know someone who is, I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Great for a 24-weeker parent
Review: I had a 24 weeker boy at one pound 5 ounces - this book saved me. I have been in the NICU 105 days and will probably be there another month. This book is a must for early babies.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I would highly recommend this to any new parent of a preemie.
It has alot of very useful information, and is very well put and easy to understand.