Heavenly Angels in Need Neonatal Division

Prematurity Facts

A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. An infant born at 38 weeks is fully developed and called a full-term infant. An infant born between 22 and 37 completed weeks of pregnancy is called a premature infant, or "preemie." In the United States, about 1 out of 10 births is premature.

When born too early, a preemie's major organs are not fully developed. This can cause health problems. Any preemie has some risks of medical problems. However, those who are born before 32 weeks are more likely to have more serious problems. The earlier a preemie is born, the higher the risks.

Preemies who are moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are watched closely for changes in breathing and heart rate. Until they can maintain their body heat, preemies are kept warm in enclosed beds called isolettes.

Preemies are usually tube-fed or fed intravenously, depending on their condition. Tube-feeding lasts until a preemie is mature enough to breathe, suck, and swallow and strong enough to take all feedings by breast or bottle. This is often at about 34 to 36 weeks' gestational age. Sick and extremely premature infants need special treatment, depending on what medical problems they have. Those who need help breathing are aided by an oxygen tube or a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs (ventilator). Some preemies need medication, and a few need surgery. (facts by:http://www.meritcare.com/hwdb/showtopic.aspx?module_abbrev=SPECIAL&pd_hwid=tn5684&print=yes)

Helping keep these babies warm

Heavenly Angels in Need gives clothing to babies in need Nationwide. We put love in all we give to these babies. Every single stitch is made with compassion and tender loving care. We use gentle baby yarn and materials to make sure not to irritate babies senstive skin. We have volunteers from across the Nation knitting, crocheting,sewing and more. We make hats, booties, hospital gowns, burial garments and more.

A hospital who is need can request a donation for their nurcery by filling out our donation request form .

We need more volunteers to help in this growing need. Please consider volunteering your time today. Join our message board

This loss can be devistating to a family going through a tragedy such as losing their baby because of miscarriage, prematurity, sickness,disease,stillbirth and more. Heavenly Angels in Need humbly reach out to these families in many different ways.

We offer BURIAL GARMENTS knitted,crochet, & sewn. All handmade special for families in their time of grief. Some of our gowns made may be made out of wedding gowns please go to our wedding gown site to see pictures of before and after photo's.

We make CASKETS to give free to parents who cannot afford to bury their baby. This should be the last thing a parent needs to worry about. (Upon availability)

We offer MEMORY BOXES free to parents to keep their babies memorial items in. (each box different as its maker)

We offer our COMFORT FORUM where parents and grief counselors, nurses and doctors are welcome to join and talk about their grief and be given compassion. Anyone with compassion for the grieving is welcome to join here and give love, a listening ear, and open your arms to someone who sometimes just wants you to listen.

We offer RESOURCES that we have available (i.e. Online resources) such as professional photography and an organization that offers this free to families in their last moments,also resources that may be able to help with funeral exspenses, books that will guide you through your journey in grief, places to add your memorial etc...

Your loss is painful, we hope that we can help you along the way.