Having a premature baby—a baby born before the thirty-seventh week of pregnancy— can be a crash course in both medicine and health economics, not just in parenting. Parents face complex information, difficult decisions, and overwhelming grief and worry—with challenges that often extend well beyond those early days and weeks. As an ob/gyn, Dr. Jennifer Gunter has delivered hundreds of premature babies, but as a mother of preemie triplets, she also understands the heartbreak and challenges of prematurity. The Preemie Primer is a comprehensive resource, covering topics from delivery, hospitalization, and preemie development to parenting multiples, handling health issues, and finding special-needs programs. Compassionate, engaging, and medically grounded, The Preemie Primer is the first book on prematurity to combine the insight of a doctor with the experience of a mom.
The Preemie Primer
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Stephen Berman, MD, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics, University Colorado School of Medicine, Past President American Academy of Pediatrics
“As a pediatrician who cares for children with complex medical conditions, many of whom were born very prematurely, I recommend The Preemie Primer as a must-read for families of preemies. Caring for these fragile infants and children requires a partnership with parents and joint clinical decision making, a partnership that will be strengthened when parents read this book. The personal feelings that Dr Gunter shares will also help parents to trust their own common sense and deal with the stress and anxiety of raising a preemie.”
“As a pediatrician who cares for children with complex medical conditions, many of whom were born very prematurely, I recommend The Preemie Primer as a must-read for families of preemies. Caring for these fragile infants and children requires a partnership with parents and joint clinical decision making, a partnership that will be strengthened when parents read this book. The personal feelings that Dr Gunter shares will also help parents to trust their own common sense and deal with the stress and anxiety of raising a preemie.”
Infodad.com, 7/29/10
“What sets [The Preemie Primer] above many other books in the ‘medical aspects of parenting’ genre is the effective interweaving of Gunter’s personal and emotional experiences with her no-nonsense medical knowledge about premature babies and the families that raise them.”
Bookviews, August 2010
“For parents of premature babies it is ‘must’ reading.”
About.com, 8/11/10
“In addition to containing the latest information about prematurity, The Preemie Primer is unique because the author is unique. The book is written from Dr. Gunter's perspective as both an obstetrician and the parent of preemies…This combination of medical knowledge and a parent's intuition make The Preemie Primer a special book…What The Preemie Primer does best is to explain the complicated world of NICU care for premature babies in words that parents can understand…Unlike a lot of books on prematurity, The Preemie Primer doesn't end at NICU discharge. Dr. Gunter does a wonderful job of helping parents cope with the difficult transition from NICU to home, and to understand the challenges that children born early may face as they grow from babies to toddlers, then enter the school system.”
MamasOnBedrest&Beyond.com, 9/2/10
“A deeply personal account…The success of The Preemie Primer results from the fact that as I read it, I felt as if I was sitting across from Jennifer Gunter, drinking coffee and chatting as she tells her story.”
Library Journal, 9/16/10 (starred review)
“Covering everything from why some babies are born prematurely to the various body systems at risk to navigating the health-care system, Gunter excels at clarifying complex medical information for lay readers and provides enough information to empower parents without contributing to their fragile fears. Essential.”
Mid-Ohio Valley Parent Magazine, January 2011
“For specific questions on the care of preemies, this is a great resource for new parents.”
“For specific questions on the care of preemies, this is a great resource for new parents.”
GrowingYourBaby.com, 2/28/11
“[A] brilliant book chock full of understandable medical information and compassionate advice from a mom who has been there.”
“[A] brilliant book chock full of understandable medical information and compassionate advice from a mom who has been there.”
Birth, March 2011
“A highly useful, informative book for parents of preterm infants. We will see many well-worn copies in NICUs, diaper bags, and practitioner’s offices.”
About the Author
Jennifer Gunter, MD, is an internationally renowned ob/gyn and leading expert in the field of women’s pain medicine. She lives in Mill Valley, California.
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More About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Gunter is an internationally renowned physician, board-certified in both OB/GYN and Pain Medicine. She is also the mother of triplets born extremely prematurely (one son at 22 weeks, who passed away, and two sons at 26 weeks). She has the keen eye of an experienced physician, the inside scoop on the health care system, and the knowledge of a mother who has really been there. The Preemie Primer is her first book. Dr. Gunter's hobbies include working with her children on the prototype for the first ever flying ice cream truck and hunting for giant squid in tide pools.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Stephany
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The title says from "Birth through Toddler Years and Beyond", when really there was only about 60 pages of the 300 that related to anything after birth-the first month. I bought it when my preemie was about 4 months old, so the majority of it was useless to me. Also, what's the point in talking about what will happen at the hospital when most people can't plan on having a premature baby.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a NICU nurse for more than 20 years, I thought I knew everything there is to know about the life of a preemie, of a micropreemie and what life would be like after the big graduaation daay from my NICU. Then I became the mother of a child born 16 weeks early and weighing 1lb 6oz...
I have been enjoying reading this last week Dr. Jennifer Gunter's new book The Preemie Primer.When Dr. Gunter contacted me last year about her project writing a complete guide for parents of preemies that not only covered the basics in the NICU through the toddler years, but beyond, I was very excited. There are a lot of great comprehensive guides to preemies for parents out there but most I find just don't address what happens after you go home and after your preemie reaches that magical age of two when we no longer have to consider their adjusted age. To someone who doesn't know better it would seem that everything is okay then and we all live happily ever after. But to many parents of NICU grads who spent any length of time in the NICU there is no magical date where everything is normal and all caught up...at least there isn't a well-defined mark in a preemie's timeline where we can point and say, "Here! Here is where your ex-24 weeker will be all caught up in growth and development and you can stop worrying."
It ain't there, people.
OB-Gyn Dr. Gunter herself has lived the NICU experience not as the medical professional but as the parent of surviving triplets, Oliver and Victor. Her son, Aidan, died soon after his birth. Her book is exactly what it is a titled, a primer for parents of preemies explaining the basics of a baby's NICU stay; the care they will receive, the potential complications that they are almost certain to have; the system that is insurance, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and government assistance programs and how to navigate them; emotional and physical self-care; the real world after discharge and the other things that you should know but no one will tell you. Dr. Gunter reaffirms what I have come to realize that those of us in the biz really, truly don't know what happens after we bundle up our NICU grads and send them home to happily ever after unless we have personally lived it. I felt prepared the day Daniel was discharged home with his oxygen and other medical supplies but I truly wish I had a book like this then. I might have been better prepared for the re-hospitalizations, the endless doctor appointments, the therapies, the surgeries, the feeding tube, the unknown.
One of the best things about this book is Dr. Gunter sharing parts of her own story in each chapter. My favorite was the conversation she had with one doctor about her son's chronic lung disease where the doctor told her that he would never climb Mt. Everest and how she reacted. I remember so many conversations like that..."he'll never hear your voice"..."he'll never be a fighter pilot"...he'll never sing opera". Just like Dr. Gunter, I couldn't help but mourn the "he'll nevers" even if I couldn't imagine in a million years my son doing those things. Some of the "he'll nevers" were and are indeed realistic and some predictions proved to be wrong still it is so unbelievably painful to hear your son shall be limited before he even manages to leave the NICU...even if you already know and understand these things as a medical professional like myself or like Dr. Gunter.
All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse this book. It should be available in the reading libraries of every NICU and would make a great gift for NICU parents as a bedside companion in the NICU while they keep watch over their baby.
One of the very best parts of her book is the epilogue, Dr. Gunter's "poster" of NICU graduates including someone we know. My only quibble is Daniel actually weighed 630 grams (1lb 6oz) at birth but everything else is Daniel's story from his perspective based on my interviews with Dr. Gunter. After I read Daniel's story to him, he offered his autograph which I had to accept of course. But he is not the only amazing preemie grad featured in the epilogue. Each story is real, sometimes raw, honest and always heart-warming. Life with a preemie is hard in the NICU, after discharge and after the magical age of two when everything is all-better. But it is also happy, joyful and victorious as we discover that there is life beyond the "he'll nevers" where we get to witness and celebrate all the amazing wonderful things that our preemies can do...
...like their earning their green-striped belt in Tae Kwon Do as Daniel did this last weekend.
originally written and posted at [...]
I have been enjoying reading this last week Dr. Jennifer Gunter's new book The Preemie Primer.When Dr. Gunter contacted me last year about her project writing a complete guide for parents of preemies that not only covered the basics in the NICU through the toddler years, but beyond, I was very excited. There are a lot of great comprehensive guides to preemies for parents out there but most I find just don't address what happens after you go home and after your preemie reaches that magical age of two when we no longer have to consider their adjusted age. To someone who doesn't know better it would seem that everything is okay then and we all live happily ever after. But to many parents of NICU grads who spent any length of time in the NICU there is no magical date where everything is normal and all caught up...at least there isn't a well-defined mark in a preemie's timeline where we can point and say, "Here! Here is where your ex-24 weeker will be all caught up in growth and development and you can stop worrying."
It ain't there, people.
OB-Gyn Dr. Gunter herself has lived the NICU experience not as the medical professional but as the parent of surviving triplets, Oliver and Victor. Her son, Aidan, died soon after his birth. Her book is exactly what it is a titled, a primer for parents of preemies explaining the basics of a baby's NICU stay; the care they will receive, the potential complications that they are almost certain to have; the system that is insurance, prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and government assistance programs and how to navigate them; emotional and physical self-care; the real world after discharge and the other things that you should know but no one will tell you. Dr. Gunter reaffirms what I have come to realize that those of us in the biz really, truly don't know what happens after we bundle up our NICU grads and send them home to happily ever after unless we have personally lived it. I felt prepared the day Daniel was discharged home with his oxygen and other medical supplies but I truly wish I had a book like this then. I might have been better prepared for the re-hospitalizations, the endless doctor appointments, the therapies, the surgeries, the feeding tube, the unknown.
One of the best things about this book is Dr. Gunter sharing parts of her own story in each chapter. My favorite was the conversation she had with one doctor about her son's chronic lung disease where the doctor told her that he would never climb Mt. Everest and how she reacted. I remember so many conversations like that..."he'll never hear your voice"..."he'll never be a fighter pilot"...he'll never sing opera". Just like Dr. Gunter, I couldn't help but mourn the "he'll nevers" even if I couldn't imagine in a million years my son doing those things. Some of the "he'll nevers" were and are indeed realistic and some predictions proved to be wrong still it is so unbelievably painful to hear your son shall be limited before he even manages to leave the NICU...even if you already know and understand these things as a medical professional like myself or like Dr. Gunter.
All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse this book. It should be available in the reading libraries of every NICU and would make a great gift for NICU parents as a bedside companion in the NICU while they keep watch over their baby.
One of the very best parts of her book is the epilogue, Dr. Gunter's "poster" of NICU graduates including someone we know. My only quibble is Daniel actually weighed 630 grams (1lb 6oz) at birth but everything else is Daniel's story from his perspective based on my interviews with Dr. Gunter. After I read Daniel's story to him, he offered his autograph which I had to accept of course. But he is not the only amazing preemie grad featured in the epilogue. Each story is real, sometimes raw, honest and always heart-warming. Life with a preemie is hard in the NICU, after discharge and after the magical age of two when everything is all-better. But it is also happy, joyful and victorious as we discover that there is life beyond the "he'll nevers" where we get to witness and celebrate all the amazing wonderful things that our preemies can do...
...like their earning their green-striped belt in Tae Kwon Do as Daniel did this last weekend.
originally written and posted at [...]
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Maya C.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The Preemie Primer is a resource guide, textbook, decision-making tool and support system all in one for parents of preemies. Not only is Dr. Gunter an OB/GYN with access to the most recent research on prematurity, but she also is a preemie parent herself. Well organized and user-friendly, her book allows parents to quickly find detailed information to help them make informed decisions about their children's care in the hospital and at home.
Dr. Gunter breaks down complex medical research and translates medical language in an easy-to-read format for tired, emotionally fragile parents. The Preemie Primer provides parents with plenty of information to take home with them from the hospital covering everything from growth and nutrition to infections. The Mind-Body Connection section, an area often missing from medical resources, covers the emotional health of both premature babies and their parents and gives an in-depth discussion of medical mindfulness. A section titled "Making the System Work for You", instructs readers in navigating health insurance and assistance programs and managing prescription drugs. Additionally, Dr. Gunter shares the innovative programs and routines she developed for her own boys' care and development.
With her own harrowing experience as an emotional guide and her medical knowledge and connections to provide the content, Dr. Gunter has produced an invaluable resource to parents and caregivers.
Dr. Gunter breaks down complex medical research and translates medical language in an easy-to-read format for tired, emotionally fragile parents. The Preemie Primer provides parents with plenty of information to take home with them from the hospital covering everything from growth and nutrition to infections. The Mind-Body Connection section, an area often missing from medical resources, covers the emotional health of both premature babies and their parents and gives an in-depth discussion of medical mindfulness. A section titled "Making the System Work for You", instructs readers in navigating health insurance and assistance programs and managing prescription drugs. Additionally, Dr. Gunter shares the innovative programs and routines she developed for her own boys' care and development.
With her own harrowing experience as an emotional guide and her medical knowledge and connections to provide the content, Dr. Gunter has produced an invaluable resource to parents and caregivers.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
PERFECT for NICU parents
In short, I love this book. I purchased this when my son was in the NICU after being born premature, and it was so comforting to have not only a doctor, but another preemie mommy... Read more
Published 11 days ago by munchkinmama2013
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite preemie book!
I am a mom of a micropreemie. During my baby's 87 days in the NICU, I had time to read many preemie books. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kaia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative yet personal presentation...the preemie version of "What...
A great place for parents and family members to start their quest for knowledge and medical understanding of their preemie. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sharen
5.0 out of 5 stars
FAST SERVICE
Bought this book for my daughter with a 32 week preemie, great guide! Lots of helpful information on a subject that has little info on it, especially past the birth, what to... Read more
Published 8 months ago by scarolinagirl
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good for understanding the NICU
Great book for basics. This book is geared towards more severe preemies, but it does cover potential problems and gives a good starting point. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Brandy Harman
5.0 out of 5 stars
preemie book
loved this book, kept referring to this book each day my daughter was in the NICU.
as a healthcare provider myself, even though i knew a lot of stuff that was going on, this... Read more
as a healthcare provider myself, even though i knew a lot of stuff that was going on, this... Read more
Published 12 months ago by maribel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Put me at ease
My son was born two months premature and I had no idea what to do. Without this book I would have been lost. It was my preemie bible! Read more
Published on April 22, 2011 by Amie Needham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book
Written is basic language for parents who are overwhelmed by having a baby in the NICU or parents who aren't familiar with medical terms/concepts. Read more
Published on March 17, 2011 by From Texas
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Preemie Primer was an Excellent Resource and Truthful Guide to...
Being a Mother of a 30 weeker, I was dedicated to understanding the steps in the NICU and achieving healthy steps home as we were discarged. Read more
Published on March 11, 2011 by Jessica Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
preemies mom review
I wish someone would have given me this book the day my daughter was born 2 months early. This book should be standard issue to moms in the NICU, I didn't read it till she came... Read more
Published on December 30, 2010 by Jessica L. Willson
