Follow your pregnancy week by week with Baby Journey!

Scan the QR code with your mobile camera to download the app

QR-kod for nedladdning
Skip to main content

Part 2: Babies born in weeks 22-27

Verified by

Maria Midstam

Midwife

You may also be interested in

8 tips for getting into labour

Verified by: Midwife Maria Midstam In the final stages of pregnancy, it can feel like time is moving at a snail's pace and the longing for a baby is immense. Therefore, it is perhaps not so strange that there is a plethora of housewife tricks to ...

7 signs that childbirth is near

Verified by: Midwife Maria Midstam The third trimester is tough in many ways, not least when it comes to patience. The uncertainty of when you will get to meet the little guy is very challenging! The truth is that we don't know why a...

Getting your child to sleep in their own bed

How do you get your baby to fall asleep, not wake up at night and when is it time for your baby to sleep in their own bed? Baby Journey tells you how to get your baby to sleep in their own bed! There are different...

Guide: how to take out pregnancy insurance

Sponsored by Länsförsäkringar Taking out pregnancy insurance is something all pregnant women should do! And preferably as early as possible in the pregnancy as it must be taken out in order to be entitled to compensation if something unpredictable happens. Insurance can...

Sex life after childbirth

Many people who have given birth wonder when it's okay to have sex after giving birth. For some it feels natural quite soon, for others it takes longer - both are equally normal. Having a baby is a big adjustment,...

Exercising after childbirth: trimester four

When you decide to start exercising after giving birth is entirely up to you. Recovery after pregnancy and childbirth is highly individual! Before you take the step to start activating your body again, it can be good to define what is meant...

Everything you need to know about buckwheat

Waiting for labor to start can cause both anxiety and impatience. A bucket sweep can be a way to help the body along - a natural way to stimulate the onset of labor as the body starts to get ready. What is a...

What is pelvic pain? - All about pelvic pain

Pelvic pain during pregnancy is a common occurrence. When healthcare professionals talk about pelvic pain, they refer to it as pelvic pain or pelvic floor pain. So, what does laminitis feel like? When you're pregnant, your body's joints become more mobile, which is...

Pelvic floor exercise for pregnant women - Good exercises

Have you experienced pelvic pain during your pregnancy? Pelvic pain is common but can be very painful and prevent you from living a normal life. However, there are exercises and pelvic floor exercises that can help relieve your pelvic pain during pregnancy...

High blood pressure = Hypertension

During pregnancy, there is a risk of high blood pressure and organ damage, known as pre-eclampsia. In this article, we review and describe what preeclampsia is. High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy occurs in Sweden in about eight...

    Part 2: Babies born in weeks 22-27

    Verified by

    Maria Midstam

    Midwife

    Verified and reviewed by: Midwife Maria Midstam

    In this five-part series, you will be able to read about premature babies and the neonatal unit.

    Brain development

    The brain of the extremely premature baby is very immature.
    Most neurons have already formed, but the structure of the brain still needs to develop and organize itself.

    • Most of the child's energy goes into brain development.
    • The structure of the brain becomes progressively more organized, especially between weeks 25-27.
    • The increased structure allows the brain to start working more efficiently - an important foundation for future learning and intelligence.

    During this period, the child may also start react to voices and movements in their environment.

    Sensory input and movements

    Despite the immaturity, several senses have already started to develop:

    • Hearing: Is already developed, but the child is very sensitive to loud noises.
    • The vision: The eyelids are thin and the eyes are sensitive. Under the right conditions, the child can open their eyes for short periods.
    • Smell and taste: The sense of smell is active and the child can sense flavors.
    • Hud: Thin, reddish and fragile with superficial nerve fibers that make the skin very sensitive.
    • Movement patterns: Immature and often jerky. The child stretches and moves reflexively.

    The child switches between shallow sleep and easier wakefulness, making it difficult to determine when it is asleep or awake.

    Care and support in the neonatal unit

    In the beginning, the extremely premature baby needs intensive care.
    The environment is carefully adapted to mimic that in the womb: dark, quiet and calm.

    • Incubator: A warm and moist incubator helps keep the baby warm and protects against external stimuli.
    • Bed nest: Supports the body and helps the child feel safe.
    • Respiratory support: Many children need help from respirator due to an irregular breathing pattern.
    • Light treatment: Given when needed, as the liver is immature.
    • Nutrition: The child is given small amounts of food via a stomach tube, often combined with nutrition via a drip.
    • susceptibility to infection: The child is highly susceptible to infections and needs careful hygiene and monitoring.

    Rapid responses

    The brain:

    Develops rapidly and starts to organize itself for more efficient functioning between weeks 25-27.

    Sensory input:

    The child can taste, smell and hear voices - but is sensitive to light and sound.

    Hud:

    Thin, reddish and fragile, with superficial nerve fibers that make the skin sensitive to touch.

    Care:

    Incubators, breathing support and a calm environment are crucial for the baby's safety and development.

    Reactions:

    The child may move in response to voices or touch.

    You may also be interested in

    8 tips for getting into labour

    Verified by: Midwife Maria Midstam In the final stages of pregnancy, it can feel like time is moving at a snail's pace and the longing for a baby is immense. Therefore, it is perhaps not so strange that there is a plethora of housewife tricks to ...

    7 signs that childbirth is near

    Verified by: Midwife Maria Midstam The third trimester is tough in many ways, not least when it comes to patience. The uncertainty of when you will get to meet the little guy is very challenging! The truth is that we don't know why a...

    Getting your child to sleep in their own bed

    How do you get your baby to fall asleep, not wake up at night and when is it time for your baby to sleep in their own bed? Baby Journey tells you how to get your baby to sleep in their own bed! There are different...

    Guide: how to take out pregnancy insurance

    Sponsored by Länsförsäkringar Taking out pregnancy insurance is something all pregnant women should do! And preferably as early as possible in the pregnancy as it must be taken out in order to be entitled to compensation if something unpredictable happens. Insurance can...

    Sex life after childbirth

    Many people who have given birth wonder when it's okay to have sex after giving birth. For some it feels natural quite soon, for others it takes longer - both are equally normal. Having a baby is a big adjustment,...

    Exercising after childbirth: trimester four

    When you decide to start exercising after giving birth is entirely up to you. Recovery after pregnancy and childbirth is highly individual! Before you take the step to start activating your body again, it can be good to define what is meant...

    Everything you need to know about buckwheat

    Waiting for labor to start can cause both anxiety and impatience. A bucket sweep can be a way to help the body along - a natural way to stimulate the onset of labor as the body starts to get ready. What is a...

    What is pelvic pain? - All about pelvic pain

    Pelvic pain during pregnancy is a common occurrence. When healthcare professionals talk about pelvic pain, they refer to it as pelvic pain or pelvic floor pain. So, what does laminitis feel like? When you're pregnant, your body's joints become more mobile, which is...

    Pelvic floor exercise for pregnant women - Good exercises

    Have you experienced pelvic pain during your pregnancy? Pelvic pain is common but can be very painful and prevent you from living a normal life. However, there are exercises and pelvic floor exercises that can help relieve your pelvic pain during pregnancy...

    High blood pressure = Hypertension

    During pregnancy, there is a risk of high blood pressure and organ damage, known as pre-eclampsia. In this article, we review and describe what preeclampsia is. High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy occurs in Sweden in about eight...

      Copyright © Baby Journey

      Copyright © Baby Journey

      Mobile footer
      Psst! Do you wish to visit the site in another language?