Reasons for premature birth

A baby born between 39 weeks to 40 weeks is considered to be a full-term birth. When a baby is delivered before 37 weeks is called premature birth. Usually, a baby born in the 40th week is a fully grown and developed baby whereas a premature baby is with health and medical complications. Premature babies are specially treated and check every organ’s growth. Premature babies are kept in the incubator for complete growth. There is no clear single reason for premature birth, there are many reasons for this type of childbirth. Let us discuss more premature birth.

Must Read: What to do during pregnancy to have healthy baby?

Previously premature birth children have a high risk of death, but in today’s technology and medical science development, we are having lots of special treatments to handle premature children and make them as normal babies. Your gynaecologist every month tracks the baby’s growth through the ultrasound, based on the baby’s development and the complications for the mom and baby, the birth week is predetermined. By taking certain measures premature birth can also be prevented.

Stages of preterm birth

There are four stages in premature baby birth. They are,

Babies born between 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy is called Late Preterm

Babies born between 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy is called Moderate Preterm

Babies born less than 32 weeks of pregnancy is called Very Preterm

Babies born on or before 25 weeks of pregnancy is called Extremely Preterm

Reasons for premature birth

There are several reasons for early labour, some may not have the right reason also. Let us see some of the common reasons for premature birth

Placenta abruption

The placenta is the organ that grows to the wall of the uterus at the time of pregnancy. It provides oxygen and other nutrients to the baby it connects through the umbilical cord. Early labour arises when there is a problem in this placenta, not for all women but for some it happens. Placental abruption is the part of the placenta that splits from the uterus and it starts bleeding, at this time there is a chance of early labour.

Bad Nutrition

A baby with poor nutrition and bad growth development has a high risk of early labour. When the pregnant mother does not have the diet properly during the pregnancy affects the weight and the growth of the baby and this causes premature birth.

Diabetes

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes causes preterm birth. Gestational diabetes is diabetes caused during pregnancy. When there is high blood sugar in the mother’s bloodstream and the same blood is used by the baby, the baby secretes more insulin and this causes health issues. To avoid the baby’s complications gynaecologists suggest early labour.

Hypertension

High blood pressure at the time of pregnancy causes preterm birth. When the mother during pregnancy has high blood pressure there is low blood flow to the placenta. Due to this, the baby in the womb does not get enough nutrients to grow hence the baby gets heart or kidney disease, even low weight and this may turn to early labour to save the baby’s life.

Twins or Triplets

When the mother has more than one baby in the womb the baby does not have enough space to grow, and the nutrients supply will also be in demand hence the baby will be in low birth weight. Mothers with multiple pregnancies will have early labour.

Incompetent cervix

Premature birth arises when it is an incompetent cervix. If the cervix opens gradually without pain before the delivery due date then there is a chance of early labour. Cervix open can be of any reason like a baby overweight, or any shock or accident.

Low amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid is the liquid sac inside the mother’s womb where the baby stays. This fluid helps the baby to move around and turn. The amniotic fluid decreases when there is a placenta abruption, leakage, dehydration, diabetes. When there is low amniotic fluid baby struggles to turn and there is a change of the umbilical cord to surround the baby’s neck. Low amniotic fluid leads to early labour. By proper detection, this can be treated by having fluid injections.

Stress

Continuous stress of a mother during pregnancy can cause premature birth. Mental health is more important in pregnancy, stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to several health problems like hypertension, diabetes and this causes preterm labour.

These are some of the reasons for premature birth. The premature baby usually has a health disorder and needs more medications. The premature baby and the mom both need more attention. By the proper diagnosing and regular checkups with gynaecologists, one can prevent preterm labour.