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!) 
  

Thesis Statement - Research Paper

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

Effects of Prematurity

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

http://www.ehow.com/about_5436602_complications-preemies.html

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.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1366801/Premature-baby-dies-mothers-arms-hospital-staff-refused-help-him.html

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. 

NICU Doctors: A True Disappointment

Strom, Ron. “Parents Fight Hospital Over Care Of Preemie.” wnd.com. World Net Daily, 28 June 2002. Web. 26 Oct. 2011.

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=14394

Strom addresses a shocking story about the conflict between doctors and the parents of a preemie born more than three months early.  After doctors suggested ending its life support, the parents instantly fought back in an attempt to have their baby saved.  Doctors gradually became angrier as the parents continued to oppose further recommendations regarding the matter.  As a result, an ugly battle began between the two parties.  Strom directs his article towards parents of premature babies.  His intent is to warn them about potential obstacles, or in other words, heartless doctors that they may encounter during their baby’s journey in the NICU.  Parents of baby William received very little respect from doctors at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs after he had been born.  To argue their point, doctors gave William an EEG test in order to measure his brain activity.  They told his parents that he had only a small amount of activity in his brain.  Later, William’s parents found out that EEG tests are not very reliable when given to preemies.  Before being transferred to a hospital in Texas, their baby was given another test.  Unlike the first, it showed certain brain activity.  Soon after transferring hospitals, it became evident to William’s parents that they were not going to be treated any better by doctors in Texas.  Doctors there too argued that the preemie should not be given any more medical care.  Thankfully, they did not get their way.  Within his time spent at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, William’s parents endured nonstop hatred from the doctors.  In that course of time, many issues were disagreed upon.  Shockingly, doctors became so upset that they told lies and threatened to contact Child Protective Services.  Attorneys even became involved.  Eventually the issues were settled and baby William was finally able to be taken home after spending the first four months of his life in the NICU.  Strom’s article is somewhat biased.  It focuses strictly on the opinions of parents and the negative aspects of doctors in the NICU.  Although this is the case, doctors included in this article failed to give a logical reasoning behind their opinions; therefore, why shouldn’t readers side with the parents?  Strom’s article explained the story of baby William and his parents in a great amount of detail.  In my opinion, it was saddening.  Parents of preemies go through so much as it is.  They definitely do not need the added stress of having to deal with hurtful, lying doctors.  A number of people may not be exactly interested in this topic, which is completely understandable seeing that many are not personally connected to it.  If someone is looking for something random and shocking to read though, I would highly recommend this article!  In my opinion, the situation is extremely upsetting, and the article itself is overwhelming at times!  

NICU Medical Care: Parents Must Make Decisions

Davies, Deborah. “Ethics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” preemie-l.org. Preemie-L, 1999. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

http://www.preemie-l.org/ethicsdd.html

Davies’s article expresses her opinion in regards to how parents should determine whether or not their premature baby receives medical care after being born.  She addresses the issue that all cases are very different and unique in their own way; therefore, it would be absurd to draw a specific line to determine which babies are saved and which are not (depending on exactly how many weeks premature they are born).  Davies directs her article specifically towards parents of preemies, but also to doctors and nurses within the NICU.  Her intent is to express why parents, not neonatal doctors, should be the ones to determine whether medical care is given in an attempt to save the baby.  She goes into great detail in order to make her valid point clear to readers.  As mentioned before, no two preemie stories are identical.  While there are some extremely strong preemies that have a lot of potential, there are others that have very slim chances of survival. In many of these situations, it is obvious to both doctors and parents what decision must be made.  Although this may sometimes be the case, Davies mentions how there are a number of different situations.  She states, “But there is a gray area, where the best option isn’t clear, and these difficult decisions require thoughtful, heartfelt judgments by the parents.”  After all, why should complete strangers be left to make such a serious, life or death decision?  Although Davies article is very informative, she remains very biased.  In other words, she only gives strong reasoning for the opinion she supports, which was that ultimately, parents should have the final decision regarding whether or not their preemie receives medical care after being born.  Although she remains very one sided, Davies offers a great amount of reliable information seeing that she has a Ph.D.  She had an extremely focused article, though, and organized her thoughts in a very useful manner.  Overall, I found this article very informative.  I have the exact same opinion as Davies and enjoyed listening to her thoughts regarding the topic.  This has definitely been my favorite preemie article so far, and I intend to put this knowledge towards my research paper!  I’m sure this article would be of some interest to parents or family members of preemies who also have the same views.  It was great!

Resuscitating Early Preemies: No or Go?

“Do Not Resuscitate Very Early Preemies, Says UK Report.” bioedge.org. Bio Edge, 21 Nov. 2006. Web. 11 Oct. 2011.

http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/do_not_resuscitate_very_early_preemies_says_uk_report

This Bio Edge article addresses the debatable issue of whether or not preemies born very early should be saved.  It gives examples of the extremely opposing views that doctors and parents have.  The article also includes reliable examples of the challenges that families may face during and after the fight to save their preemie.  The information is directed towards doctors, nurses, parents of preemies, and other family members.  Its intent is to inform people that each situation is different.  In other words, a preemie born relatively early may have a harder time fighting for its life than one born even earlier.  Many doctors believe giving care to babies born earlier than 22 weeks in unnecessary.  Others believe that an attempt should be made to save babies born between 24 and 25 weeks if their parents so wish.  Why were the circumstances different for Charlotte Wyatt, who was born at 26 weeks?  Doctors refused to make an attempt to save her because they believed she had no chance.  In the end, she survived but faced many disabilities.  The real question is, if doctors would have given her medical care to help fight for her life, would she have survived as a perfectly healthy little girl?  Maybe she would have, but the question will always remain.  Unfortunately, Charlotte’s handicaps put a lot of stress on her parents, who later split up because of it.  Such handicaps that preemies may face have a large impact on families.  On the other hand, the debatable issue still remains.  How early should a premature baby be before no medical care is offered in an attempt to save it?  Should a specific line be drawn at all, or should it be up to someone?  Is it fair to families if doctors decided whether or not a preemie is saved, or should it be the parents’ choice?  Bio Edge’s article brings about many unanswered questions open for discussion.  It not only touches on the views of parents but also those of doctors, council members, and medical associations; therefore, the article does not lean towards one particular side.  Overall, this article included a large range of information, along with real life examples.  These items led to a very valid point – “every case is individual and every case should be judged on its own merits.”  Although this article was full of opinions, I felt like it jumped back and forth quite a bit.  As I do more research, I plan to continue reading unbiased articles, but may also try to read some very strong biased ones.  In doing so, I feel I could find much more information and opinions from several sides of the argument.  Again, this topic probably won’t interest those my age, but seeing that I have a niece who was born premature, it catches my interest!