Issues for preterm babies

Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, explains the limits of viability for a preterm delivery and some of the issues involved with preterm babies.
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Issues for preterm babies

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Preterm labor is still one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in this country despite all our best efforts. The limits of viability, so when we would call something a baby, and it sounds harsh, but it is 24 weeks. So from your obstetricians point of view, we are looking at 24 weeks. But the reality is depending on where you should be delivering this baby and the type of intensive care available would really have an impact on how well a baby would do. And I will tell you from my own personal and professional experience, there is a little bit of miracle in there too because I have seen very, very early pregnancies, 25, 26 weeks, do extremely well. And I have seen older babies not do quite as well. The issues become susceptibilities to infection, immune system function, feeding, bowel problems and of course brain nervous system problems. And as baby age, they have less vulnerability and they do better with treatment. So even though you may have a very early gestation in the NICU and lots of challenges, you may have a very, very healthy child in tut my goal with my patients is to get them to 28 weeks and then every day after that is a gift.

Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, explains the limits of viability for a preterm delivery and some of the issues involved with preterm babies.

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Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz completed her undergraduate education at Wesleyan University and post-baccalaureate pre-medical studies at Mills College. She earned her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and has been in private practice of obstetrics and gynecology in Los Angeles, CA since 2000. After many years of a personal yoga and meditation practice, she completed her Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist degree at California College of Ayurveda in 2010 and was board certified in Integrative and Holistic medicine in 2008.

Suzanne is involved in women’s empowerment and public education, and appears frequently as an expert in women’s and integrative health on TV, online and in print. She is co-founder of Cedars Sinai Medical Center's Green Committee and is deeply committed to the promotion of healing that involves individuals, families, communities and the planet.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children in a "green" renovated home with a sustainable native plants garden and organic “urban mini-farm”.

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Transcription: 
Preterm labor is still one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in this country despite all our best efforts. The limits of viability, so when we would call something a baby, and it sounds harsh, but it is 24 weeks. So from your obstetricians point of view, we are looking at 24 weeks. But the reality is depending on where you should be delivering this baby and the type of intensive care available would really have an impact on how well a baby would do. And I will tell you from my own personal and professional experience, there is a little bit of miracle in there too because I have seen very, very early pregnancies, 25, 26 weeks, do extremely well. And I have seen older babies not do quite as well. The issues become susceptibilities to infection, immune system function, feeding, bowel problems and of course brain nervous system problems. And as baby age, they have less vulnerability and they do better with treatment. So even though you may have a very early gestation in the NICU and lots of challenges, you may have a very, very healthy child in tut my goal with my patients is to get them to 28 weeks and then every day after that is a gift.