Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the Sudden Death of a New Born Baby
Written on April 10, 2009 by steven
Stillbirth is one of the most traumatic events a couple can face. A stillborn baby is one that is born dead, often for no apparent reason. The grief experienced following a stillbirth is usually devastating. Nine months of happy anticipation have been thwarted. Family, friends, and other children may be in a state of shock, needing comfort and not knowing where to turn. The mother’s breasts produce milk, and there is no infant to be fed. A room with a crib and toys is left empty.
The grief can last for years, and both partners may blame themselves or each other at some time. Some communities have groups called the Compassionate Friends to help parents and other family members through this grieving process. this nonprofit organization is for parents who have lost a child of any age for any reason.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome The sudden death of an infant under one year of age, for no apparent reason, is called sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS). While SIDS is the leading cause of death for children aged 1 month to 1 year, affecting about 1 in 1,000 infants in the United States each year, it is not a disease. Rather, it is ruled the cause of death after all other possibilities are ruled out. A SIDS death is sudden and silent; the death occurs quickly, often associated with sleep and no signs of suffering.
Because SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion, doctors do not know what causes SIDS. However, research done in countries including England, New Zealand, Australia, and Norway has shown that by placing children on their backs or sides to sleep, the rate of SIDS was cut by as much as half. In 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics began a campaign called “Back to Sleep,” urging American parents to lay their infants on their backs when they put them to sleep. Additional precautions against SIDS include having a firm surface for the infant’s bed, not allowing the infant to become too warm, maintaining a smoke-free environment, having regular pediatric visits, breast-feeding, and seeking prenatal care.
Any sudden, unexpected death threatens one’s sense of safety and security. This is especially true in a sudden infant death. The lack of a discernible cause, the suddenness of the tragedy, and the involvement of the legal system makes a SIDS death especially difficult, leaving a great sense of loss and a need for understanding.
Miscarriage Loss of the fetus before it is viable; also called spontaneous abortion.
Rh factor A blood protein related to the production of antibodies. If an Rh-negative mother is pregnant with an Rh-positive fetus, the mother will manufacture antibodies that can kill the fetus, causing miscarriage.
Ectopic pregnancy Implantation of a fertilized egg outÂside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube; a medical emergency that can end in death from hemorrhage for the mother.
Stillbirth The birth of a dead baby.
Infertility Difficulties in conceiving.
Pelvic inflammatory disease(PID) An infection that scars the fallopian tubes and consequently blocks sperm migration, causing infertility.
Endometriosis A disorder in which uterine lining tissue establishes itself outside the uterus; it is the leading cause of infertility in the United States.
Low sperm count A sperm count below 60 million sperm per milliliter of semen; it is the leading cause of infertility in men.
What Do You Think?
Have you talked to your health-care provider about a birth plan and arranged for it to be in your chart? What do you think would be the advantages and disadvantages of breast-feeding?
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