When a child is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is called premature childbirth, or preterm birth. Typically, a full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, which is crucial for the baby’s complete growth and development before birth. Premature birth can be prevented or managed with the correct information and care.
Continue reading for more information about premature childbirth, its causes, early signs, and how you can reduce the risks of potential complications.
Causes of Premature Childbirth
As per an NIH study, preterm childbirth is responsible for 35% of all newborn deaths (younger than 28 days), making it a serious infant health issue. There can be many causes of preterm birth, including infection, placental issues, mother’s well-being, etc., such as:
- Uterine infections, urinary tract infections, or infection in the cervix
- Hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid problems
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol use, or poor nutrition
- Having twins, triplets, or multiple pregnancies
- Getting pregnant in less than 6 months after the previous pregnancy
- Dilation of the cervix too early
- Abruption in the placenta
- Physical injury or stress in the later stages of pregnancy
In many cases, the exact reason remains unknown, making routine antenatal care all the more essential.
Signs of Premature Labour
Identifying the early signs of premature labour plays a vital role in seeking timely medical help and potentially delaying delivery. Here are the signs to be very careful about:
- Frequent contractions or regular or frequent contractions (more than four in an hour)
- A constant, low, dull backache
- Pressure on the pelvis region or in the lower abdomen
- Cramps that feel like menstrual pain
- A change in vaginal discharge that appears watery, mucus-y, or bloody
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- A sudden gush or slow trickle of fluid from the vagina, indicating a ruptured membrane.
It is essential to contact your healthcare provider immediately if any of these signs appear.
Preterm Birth Symptoms in The Baby
When a child is born before the full gestation period, it doesn’t get enough time to fully grow and develop. This may lead to health issues in the baby as it grows older. Here are the tell-tale signs:
- Small size with a disproportionately large head
- Thin, shiny skin with visible veins
- Poor muscle tone
- Difficulty in feeding or sucking
- Unstable body temperature due to a lack of body fat
- Breathing difficulties due to underdeveloped lungs
- Jaundice and low blood sugar levels
- Hearing or vision problems
These symptoms typically require specialised neonatal care, sometimes in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). After birth, the doctor will assess the baby’s health to determine the type of care they may need.
Preterm Birth Management
Sometimes, preterm labour can stop early birth on its own or with the help of the right treatments. The management procedure that your doctor chooses depends on the condition of both mother and child.
Here are some of the preterm birth treatments that can help stop premature childbirth or improve the child’s health after preterm delivery.
- Tocolytes help slow or stop labour.
- Corticosteroids are used to accelerate the baby’s lung development.
- Antibiotics can reduce the risks of infection if the water breaks too early.
- Magnesium sulphate can be given to minimise the risk of cerebral palsy in the baby
- Progesterone supplementation can help prevent early contractions and strengthen the uterine walls.
How to Prevent Preterm Labor?
According to WHO guidelines, it is essential to have a minimum of eight fetal health checkups with your healthcare professionals throughout pregnancy, starting from the 12th week. It can play a key role in identifying and managing risk factors of premature birth, such as infections.
Other methods that can help reduce the risk of premature labour are:
- Managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension
- Avoiding harmful substances like tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
- Adequate spacing between pregnancies
- Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy
- Treating infections promptly
- Staying hydrated and avoiding extreme physical or emotional stress
What If It Can’t Be Stopped?
In many high-risk cases, the preterm delivery can’t be stopped. The newborn child may require the following health support:
- Breathing support, such as CPAP or mechanical ventilation
- Feeding assistance, including tube feeding
- Temperature control, through incubators
- Monitoring for infections or other complications
Read More: Early Pregnancy Signs to Watch Out For
To Sum Up
Premature childbirth is among the leading causes of death among children under the age of 5 years. It is a complex condition and is affected by medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Although it is serious, early detection of symptoms and proper care can help improve the child’s survival rate and overall health. Therefore, if you’re planning to conceive, it is essential to stay informed and schedule regular foetal health monitoring to avoid preterm birth complications. The sooner action is taken, the better it will be for the mother and the child.
