Premature Babies in Grand Rapids, Michigan

In the United States, around eight percent of babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) each year. Families in Grand Rapids, MI are no exception. Local hospitals such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health provide advanced care for premature babies in their neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Most premature babies are born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, and almost all of these babies go on to become healthy children. However, some babies born very early face serious medical challenges, and a small number may die because their organs are too immature to function properly outside the womb.

Grand Rapids parents should know that high‑quality neonatal care is available locally, and outcomes for premature babies continue to improve.

What Is a Premature Baby?

A premature baby (also called a preterm baby) is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A full‑term pregnancy typically lasts between 37 and 42 weeks.

Prematurity is often grouped into categories:

  • Late preterm: 34 to 36 weeks
  • Moderate preterm: 32 to 34 weeks
  • Very preterm: Less than 32 weeks
  • Extremely preterm: Less than 28 weeks

The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of medical complications and long‑term health issues.

Why Do Premature Births Happen?

Some Reasons for Premature Birth Remain Unknown

In many pregnancies, it is difficult to predict who will deliver early. For most premature births, no specific cause is found. While researchers continue to study the causes of preterm labor, the exact “mechanics” behind why labor starts too soon are still not fully understood, making prevention challenging.

Known Risk Factors for Premature Birth

Although the cause is often unclear, several maternal risk factors are associated with a higher chance of having a premature baby:

  • Previous premature birth
  • High blood pressure (including preeclampsia)
  • Diabetes (pre‑existing or gestational diabetes)
  • Severe infection or serious illness during pregnancy
  • Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Twin or multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • Problems with the uterus, cervix, or placenta
  • Underweight or poor nutrition
  • Substance use (alcohol or drugs)

In West Michigan, factors such as smoking, uncontrolled chronic conditions (like diabetes and high blood pressure), and limited prenatal care access can increase the risk of preterm birth. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health offer programs to support prenatal care, smoking cessation, and chronic disease management.

Can Premature Labor Be Delayed?

If a mother in Grand Rapids goes into labor too early, local obstetricians and maternity teams at hospitals such as Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids may be able to delay the birth with certain treatments, depending on the situation.

As long as:

  • The baby is growing normally
  • The placenta is working properly
  • There are no immediate dangers to the mother or baby

Every extra day the baby can stay in the womb increases the chance of survival and reduces the risk of complications.

Steroid Injections for Lung Maturity

One of the most important treatments for threatened preterm birth is steroid injections (antenatal corticosteroids) given to the mother before delivery. These injections:

  • Help the baby’s lungs mature more quickly
  • Reduce the risk of breathing problems
  • Improve overall survival rates

This treatment is standard in Grand Rapids NICU‑linked maternity units and is especially important in very preterm births.

Chances of Survival for Premature Babies

The chance of survival for a premature baby depends mainly on:

  • Gestational age at birth (how many weeks pregnant)
  • Birth weight
  • Overall health and complications after birth

While exact numbers can vary between hospitals and over time, research shows:

  • About two‑thirds of babies born at 24 weeks who are admitted to a NICU will survive to go home.
  • Around 98 percent of babies born at 30 weeks will survive.

In general, babies born before 36 weeks’ gestation are likely to be admitted to a neonatal unit for close monitoring and specialized care.

Families in Grand Rapids benefit from:

  • Level III and IV NICUs (highest levels of neonatal care) at major hospitals
  • Access to pediatric subspecialists through large health systems in West Michigan
  • Transfer options to regional centers if even more specialized care is needed

Where Are Premature Babies Cared for in Grand Rapids?

The level of care depends on how early and how sick the baby is:

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Very preterm babies (under 30 weeks’ gestation) and those who need help with breathing are cared for in a NICU. In Grand Rapids, NICUs are available at major hospitals such as:

  • Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Grand Rapids)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Other regional NICU partners across West Michigan

The NICU provides:

  • Breathing support (ventilators, CPAP, oxygen)
  • IV nutrition and medications
  • Continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels
  • Care from neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists

Special Care Nursery

Larger preterm babies (often 32–36 weeks) who do not develop serious breathing problems may be cared for in a special care nursery instead of the full NICU. These units support:

  • Feeding assistance
  • Temperature regulation
  • Jaundice treatment
  • Monitoring until the baby is stable enough to go home

Common Complications for Premature Babies

Premature babies are still developing many vital systems. Some of the more common complications include:

Lung Disease and Breathing Problems

Premature babies often have immature lungs. They may need:

  • Oxygen through a ventilator
  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
  • Oxygen in an incubator

This support continues until their lungs are mature enough to function on their own. Breathing issues can be more noticeable during cold Grand Rapids winters, when respiratory infections like RSV and influenza are common, so families are often advised to limit exposure to sick contacts.

Feeding Difficulties

Many premature babies are too immature to suck and swallow effectively. They may:

  • Be fed through a feeding tube (nasogastric or orogastric tube) into the stomach
  • Receive breast milk or formula specially fortified for preterm babies

As the baby matures and the sucking and swallowing reflex improves, they gradually transition to feeding by mouth. Lactation support is available at most Grand Rapids hospitals to help mothers who wish to breastfeed.

Temperature Control Problems

The temperature control center in a premature baby’s brain is not fully developed, and they have very little body fat. This makes it hard for them to stay warm, especially in a climate like West Michigan, where temperatures drop significantly in fall and winter.

To help maintain a stable body temperature, premature babies are cared for:

  • Under special overhead heaters
  • In enclosed incubators (isolettes)

They remain in this controlled environment until they are mature enough to stay warm in a regular crib.

Apnoea

Apnoea is when a baby’s breathing stops for a short period of time. In premature babies, this happens because the part of the brain that controls breathing (the respiratory center) is still immature.

Hospital staff monitor for apnoea and may:

  • Use monitors that sound an alarm if breathing pauses
  • Provide gentle stimulation
  • Give medications if needed

Bradycardia

Bradycardia is a slowing of the heart rate. In premature babies, it is often caused by apnoea. When the baby stops breathing, the heart rate can drop.

NICU and special care nursery staff in Grand Rapids are trained to recognize and treat these episodes quickly.

Jaundice

Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a substance produced when red blood cells break down. A premature baby’s liver is often too immature to process bilirubin effectively.

Treatment usually involves:

  • Phototherapy lights (special blue lights) that help break down bilirubin
  • Regular blood tests to monitor bilirubin levels

Jaundice is common and usually temporary, but it needs careful monitoring.

Long-Term Outcomes and Disabilities in Premature Babies

The risk of long‑term problems depends on:

  • How early the baby was born
  • How sick the baby was after birth
  • The presence and severity of complications

Severe Disabilities

Around one‑third of babies born at 24 weeks may develop a significant disability, such as:

  • Intellectual disability
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Blindness
  • Deafness

These outcomes are more common in extremely preterm babies and those who experienced serious complications in the NICU.

Mild and Learning Disabilities

Milder issues are more common and may not appear until later in childhood. These can include:

  • Learning or reading difficulties
  • Attention or behavior challenges
  • Mild motor delays

These concerns may show up during preschool or early school years. In Grand Rapids, early intervention services and school‑based support through local districts and Kent ISD can help children reach their full potential.

Babies Born Close to Full Term

Babies born close to full term (for example, 35–36 weeks) usually have no long‑term health problems related to being born early, especially if they did not have major complications in the neonatal period.

Seasonal and Local Considerations in Grand Rapids

Living in Grand Rapids, MI, presents some unique considerations for families with premature babies:

  • Cold winters and respiratory season: Flu, RSV, and other respiratory infections are more common from fall through early spring. Premature babies are more vulnerable, so doctors may recommend extra precautions, including vaccines and limiting exposure to crowds.
  • Air quality and allergies: Seasonal changes and regional air quality can affect babies with chronic lung disease of prematurity.
  • Follow‑up care: Local health systems provide high‑risk infant follow‑up clinics to track growth, development, vision, and hearing after discharge from the NICU.

Risk Factors for Premature Birth: Summary

Key risk factors that can increase the chance of premature birth include:

  • Previous premature birth
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Severe illness or infection
  • Smoking
  • Twin or multiple pregnancy

Talk with your Grand Rapids obstetrician or midwife if you have any of these risk factors so they can monitor your pregnancy more closely.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the Grand Rapids area, support and care are available:

  • Your GP / primary care provider – For preconception counseling, chronic disease management, and referrals.

  • Your obstetrician or midwife – For regular prenatal care, screening for risk factors, and management of preterm labor.

  • Maternity and NICU services at local hospitals:

    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – Butterworth Hospital & Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health and other regional partners

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health – For prenatal education, WIC, smoking cessation programs, and other maternal–child health services.

If you are experiencing signs of preterm labor—such as regular contractions, leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding, or a sudden decrease in baby’s movements—contact your healthcare provider or go to the nearest Grand Rapids hospital immediately.

Key Points

  • Most premature births have no clearly identified cause, but several maternal risk factors are known.
  • Some reasons for premature birth remain unknown, making prevention difficult.
  • Maternal risk factors include previous premature birth, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and multiple pregnancy.
  • If a mother goes into labor prematurely, certain treatments can sometimes delay birth, allowing time for steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs mature.
  • Bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate), often caused by apnoea, is a common issue in premature babies and is closely monitored in Grand Rapids NICUs and special care nurseries.

With advanced neonatal care available throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan, many premature babies grow up to lead healthy, active lives. Early, consistent prenatal care and prompt treatment of preterm labor can make a significant difference in outcomes for both mother and baby.