Maylis Rolland, France
France: Life finds a way
According to a WHO study, one in ten children worldwide is born before the 37th week of pregnancy, meaning three weeks prematurely. Every missing week makes their start in life that much more difficult. This is especially true for extremely premature babies who sometimes have to take their first breaths after less than 32 or even 26 weeks of pregnancy, mostly the effect of insufficiently developed lungs and reduced kidney function.
Worldwide, death resulting from premature birth is the second most common reason for not reaching the age of five. Even in industrialized nations, there are more and more premature births, which is mainly because mothers are increasingly older at birth. However, medical care for premature babies has made great progress, at least in rich countries. It has even been possible to save a premature baby who was born at just 22 weeks, measuring only 26 centimeters and weighing a mere 245 grams.
French photographer Maylis Rolland’s photo series shows the wonderful moments at the University Hospital of Rennes, where the fragile lives of tiny babies are stabilized with the help of medical equipment and intensive human care. Like, for example, the moment when tiny Gabin, born after 25 weeks of pregnancy and still wearing a breathing mask, touches the face of his mother Doriane.
Photographer: Maylis Rolland, France (Agency Hans Lucas)
Before becoming a photographer, Maylis Rolland, born in 1984 and living near Nantes, worked as a biology and geology teacher. She is particularly interested in environmental and health issues. Her work is regularly published in French media such as Le Monde and has been shown at photo festivals in Perpignan and Paris, among others.
Most recently, almost seven percent of all births in France were premature. The Rennes University Hospital is viewed as one of the most advanced in the country when it comes to the care of premature babies.
Credits Text: Peter-Matthias Gaede for UNICEF