Refusing Babies Treatment?

Question

*posting in CC because this might be a sensitive topic for some mothers even though I'm sure most of us will agree*

why is it that doctors will not give any medical treatment to babies born before 22 weeks? I understand that there is a very low chance of the baby surviving but why would they not even try? I believe they should change whatever policy they have and give babies whatever treatment they can rather than just watching them die. I saw a post from a mother on here and her baby was born at 21 weeks and they refused to treat her. She passed away 2 hours later. Who knows whether she would have survived if they had done something

Answer

It's not a policy or rule...
Very few hospitals have the medical equipment to handle micro-preemies. Before the 23 week mark, they're so small and underdeveloped that they simply do not have the resources to even begin trying to saving them

Answer

Because 99% they won't survive. Most hospitals don't have the equipment for a baby that small. It's kinda giving false hope to the parents and it takes up space that viable babies need.

Answer

Before about 22 or 23 weeks lungs are not developed and so we simply don't have the technology currently to help babies that young. The youngest one saved I believe was 21 weeks 6 days

Answer

I'm an NICU nurse. I believe they have to resuscitate babies at 25 weeks, after 23 weeks it's a discussion between the doctors and the family. I did a research study about this and I want to say like 95% of babies resusitated before 23 weeks don't survive and 100% of those who did had severe life altering disabilities.

Answer

I think it should depend on need. If they baby needs it to survive, at least try. If it's not necessary I can see not wanting to do it because it could be too risky.  But if the baby is going to die without the treatment then the parents should be able to make that decision.

Answer

Another reason is because their tiny bodies can't handle the anesthesia. Sometime it's too much and they can slip into a comma or just pass away. That's why with kittens and puppy's they don't spay or neuter them until they are a certain amount of weeks old because they can't handle being under anesthesia.

Answer

My hospital tries to save babies starting at 18 weeks, but at 20 weeks they really try. They do everything they possibly can. But i'm delivering at a high risk hospital so maybe thats why