Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Research Paper Stuff

Thesis: The views regarding whether or not early preemies should be given medical treatment drastically differ between doctors and parents.  

Doctors' feelings regarding the topic:
  • NICU Procedure -- 
    • I plan to further my research on this part of my paper and possibly incorporate facts regarding my niece's experience in the NICU.
  • Expense -- 
    • Carson, Erin. “Complications of Preemies.” ehow.com. eHow Health, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. ---> U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated cost to save preemies: 26.2 billion in 2005 
    • Evans, Julie. “Should Very Premature Babies Be Left To Die?” thestir.cafemom.com. The Stir, 10 March 2011. Web. 10 Sept. 2011.  ---> Quote by Dr. Daphne Austin – “Very premature babies—those born before 24 weeks—are too expensive to save.  Keeping them alive is prolonging their agony.  The money used to treat them could be better spent treating things like cancers.  Doctors are doing more harm than good by resuscitation 23-weekers.” (This would be a great quote to use in my paper because it supports doctors' overall views regarding the topic of saving very early preemies.)
  • Developmental Problems --
    •  Carson, Erin. “Complications of Preemies.” ehow.com. eHow Health, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. ---> Those who survive - more apt to develop "serious lifelong disabilities" cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, breathing and respiratory problems, feeding problems, vision/hearing loss. (I plan to continue more detailed research on a couple of specific disabilities/disorders)
    • Evans, Julie. “Should Very Premature Babies Be Left To Die?” thestir.cafemom.com. The Stir, 10 March 2011. Web. 10 Sept. 2011. ---> Quote According to an article in the Daily Mail, “of the babies born before 24 weeks gestation, only 9 percent ever leave the hospital.  The rest die.  Of those who survive, only 1 in 100 escapes without a disability like blindness or cerebral palsy.” (I believe this quote will be put to great use in my paper because it touches on the reality of how many surviving preemies face lifelong serious disabilities and disorders that not only have a major impact on their lives, but also on the lives of their parents.)
Parents' feelings regarding the topic:
  • Want to do whatever they can to save their child no matter the circumstances.
  • Don't want to live their lives questioning whether or not their child could have been saved.
  • If so, they would never find the answer because they wouldn't be given the chance to have their baby saved.  (These are all points I plan to make in my paper.  I am sure there are many valid supports within my sources; therefore, I am going to begin digging much deeper to find quotes etc.)
  • Argument that each case is different --
  • Peveteaux, April. “Saving a 21-Week-Old Preemie May Not Be Great News.” thestir.cafemom.com. The Stir, 30 May 2011. Web. 11 Oct. 2011. ---> There are exceptions: miracle babies.  Why should a specific line be drawn when each case is different and has different circumstances.  Example of miracle baby: Germany – miracle baby born at 21 weeks 1 pound… baby Frieda (twin brother died)  survived, doctors gave good prognosis (babies so early usually only have 3% of surviving without “neurodevelopmental impairments”)
      (This seems like a great supports for my paper.  It proves why many parents believe no specific line should be drawn when determining how early babies must be to receive medical care.  This example is proof of a miracle baby!)

    *** I plan to further research on my topic.  As of now I have 7 sources; therefore, I need at least three more.  There are definitely more points and quotes I plan to find within the sources I already have and within new ones I find.  (But I believe this blog is a great start to my electronic notes!) 


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Thesis Statement - Research Paper

The views regarding whether or not early preemies should be given medical treatment drastically differs between parents and doctors.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Effects of Prematurity

Carson, Erin. “Complications of Preemies.” ehow.com. eHow Health, n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2011.

Erin Carson addresses the many complications that can occur after a premature baby is born.  She touches on both short and long term disabilities that may be encountered, and she also offers some shocking results regarding preemies.  Carson directs her article toward parents-to-be and parents of babies born premature.  Her intent is to inform them about the many complications that must be dealt with when parenting these little miracles (immediately after birth and throughout the child's lifetime).  She also offers several tips that could potentially prevent premature birth.  In regards to complications, preemies tend to experience many.  Some of their organs may be underdeveloped, leading to breathing and digestive problems.  Preemies may also have skin discoloration, eye disorders, infection vulnerability, and more.  A number of infants born premature face long term complications or disabilities as well, some of which include the following: cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders, breathing problems, and vision or hearing loss.  Many believe that only the earliest born preemies are capable of obtaining these problems, but this assumption has been proven wrong.  According to March of Dimes, late preterm babies actually have a greater chance of having developmental difficulties and learning disabilities during their school years.  In order to lower the chances of having a premature baby, one must take caution by scheduling regular check-ups and maintaining a healthy living style during pregnancy.  Doctors should also never schedule a C-section before a woman’s due date.  Carson’s article was not bias one bit!  It was based solely on facts and offered some very useful information.  I am looking forward to putting this newly learned material towards my research paper!

A Grieving Mother’s Story

Cohen, Tamara. “They left my baby to die in my arms: This mother thought her son had a fighting chance when he was born at 22 weeks…but the hospital staff refused to help him.” dailymail.co.uk. Mail Online, 20 April 2011. Web. 7 Nov. 2011.
Tamara Cohen addresses the sad story of a preemie that was not even given the chance to survive.  She touches on how the lives of baby Tom’s parents have been affected ever since doctors refused to save him.  Cohen directs her article toward parents of preemies who are struggling to cope with the loss of their child.  Her intent is to educate them about how NICU doctors in some hospitals are refusing to give medical care to preemies born earlier than 24 weeks. Tracy Godwin is the mother of premature baby, Tom.  He was born at only 22 weeks and survived for 46 minutes.  The true question though, is could he have been saved?  No one will ever know.  Doctors refused to give him medical care because it was against their “policy” to save a preemie born so early.  Baby Tom’s parents will forever wonder if their son could have been saved if born at a different hospital.  This article strictly includes facts and refrains from being bias.  It simply tells the story of a grieving mother who experienced a nightmare after her premature son was born.  Although I will most likely be able to put some of Cohen’s article towards my paper, the information I use will not be of great detail.  The article failed to mention why the hospital had such a policy.  It also didn’t include the views of doctors in regards to the situation; therefore, I will continue to research the opposing side of my topic.