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You must have heard about premature births and seen quite a few preemies yourself. Or if you happen to be one of those women who has been foretold about delivering prematurely, then here is what you would need to know about preterm births and how they are different from full-term births.
The incidence of premature births is quite high and is not as rare as it might appear. Every year there are at least 15 million preemies taking birth with about 1 in 9 babies being prematures in the United States alone. About two-thirds of these births are spontaneous with mothers naturally going into labor. The rest of them are the result of induced births owing to conditions such as hemorrhage or pre-eclampsia. (1)
The World Health Organization classifies premature birth into different levels depending on how early the baby arrives into the world before its 40 weeks of the normal gestational period. Premature birth is one that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation. If a baby is born before 28 weeks, it is an ‘extremely preterm’ baby. If the birth occurs 32 weeks early, it is termed “very preterm”. If the baby is born between 32 and 37 weeks, it is called “late preterm”.
Besides natural labor, other reasons behind premature births include premature rupture of membranes, infections, stress, chromosomal abnormalities. Multiple gestations can also lead to premature births. Obesity, poor weight gain during pregnancy, poor prenatal care, or very high or low maternal age can also lead to premature birth. So far there is no conclusive connection drawn between these factors and premature births. While there might be some control over certain factors, but certain instances such as a family history of preterm births cannot be altered. (2)
Problems with preterm babies
While complications are expected for babies, who are born preterm, not all premature babies show any serious concerns. Babies that are born close to the 37th week are less likely to have complications when compared to preemies that arrive sooner. Lung development and immune system of premature babies are usually affected as they show proclivity towards severe infections and breathing problems. Some also show complications involving the brain, intestines, or heart, apart from the risk of renal disease, cognitive disabilities, or other health issues. With advanced medical care available, most neonatal intensive care units can help the preterm babies survive well.
The birthing of a premature baby usually is different from a full-term birth. A premature delivery happens very quickly. So you must watch out if you can sense the symptoms early because you would want to have access to medical care at once. Also, soon after birth, your baby might need steroid shots and surfactant to help your baby’s lungs develop and expand. If you have the medical crew at the time of premature labor, they might also contribute to slow down the labor medically.
Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear your baby crying soon after birth as this is normal with premature babies. Your baby will most likely be taken to a NICU, which can be a bit disheartening for mothers because they are not roomed-in with their baby soon after birth. Do remember, this is in the interest of your baby’s good health, providing him the optimal care. You may be separated for a brief moment, but all’s well that ends well.
