Preterm Pregnancy

Antenatal family counseling for anticipated extremely preterm deliveries remains ethically and practically challenging for maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists alike. The overall goal of this project is to improve antenatal counseling and counseling outcomes for families facing anticipated extremely preterm delivery through innovative, interdisciplinary simulation-based education for maternal fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists, using language preferred by families, and focusing on eliciting values and building partnerships through advanced communication and relational skills.

The aim of this study is to see if giving less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) during high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen treatment reduces the need for invasive ventilation in babies with breathing problems born 2-6 weeks early. Less invasive surfactant administration is where surfactant (a naturally produced substance which helps open up the tiny air sacs in the lungs making it easier for babies to breathe) is given into the lungs by putting a small tube into the windpipe through the mouth whilst the baby is awake. The surfactant is given slowly and breathed in. High flow nasal cannula is a form of non-invasive support where a machine delivers warmed, moist oxygen and air through short tubes in the nose. The investigators will be assessing whether a lower percentage of neonates need invasive ventilation within 72 hrs from birth when they have had LISA during HFNC treatment, compared to when they don't receive this treatment. The investigators will also be looking at the length of neonatal unit stay and the cost of the stay. The investigators will also be measuring the lung function of the babies before and after they receive LISA.