A normal pregnancy reaches its term between weeks 37 and 42. But this does not always happen and sometimes delivery occurs earlier than expected. It is estimated that between 5-10% of pregnancies are premature. The later the delivery occurs, the more likely the baby will survive and the fewer health problems it will have. Today we are going to talk about premature births, why they occur and their possible risks short and long term.
Premature births
As we have seen, a premature birth is one that happens before the 37th week of pregnancy. Depending on the week in which the delivery occurs there will be more or less complications:
- Late preterm: babies born between week 34 and week 36 of pregnancy.
- Moderate premature: when they are born between week 32 and week 34 of pregnancy.
- Very premature: for babies born before the 32nd week of pregnancy.
- Extreme premature: when they are born before the 25th week of pregnancy.
Normally most premature babies are late preterm. These babies need special attention and must stay in the hospital longer. Before the 21st week you are usually not ready to survive outside the womb.
Why do they occur?
There is no single reason that causes preterm labor, but there is a number of risk factors that can cause it. Among them are:
- History of previous abortions or preterm births.
- Multiple pregnancy (more than one baby).
- Preeclampsia or eclampsia.
- Changes in the uterus, cervix or placenta (placental abruption, placenta previa).
- Be over 35 and under 17.
- Excess physical exercise.
- Taking legal and illegal drugs.
- Some infections
- Underweight or overweight of the mother.
- Trauma or physical injury.
- Traumatic events.
- Make efforts.
- Presence of multiple fibroids.
- Gestational diabetes.
- Stress of the mother.
- Iron problems.
What complications does it have?
Preterm births have a series of complications, which can be mild or serious depending on the week of pregnancy in which it occurs. Some health problems can even affect you in the long term.
All the short-term complications They may have respiratory problems, this is because their lungs are not properly mature. They may also have heart, brain, temperature control, metabolism, gastrointestinal, blood, and immune system problems.
A long term It can cause infantile cerebral palsy, vision and hearing problems, dental problems, learning problems, delayed development, and other health problems such as asthma, infections, or sudden death.
Not necessarily a premature baby will have these sequelae. Many only spend a few days in the incubator until they gain enough weight. It will depend on the week in which he was born, there will be more or less health problems.
How can it be prevented?
The first thing is to carry a good medical control to be able to identify all possible risk factors and thus be able to treat them, especially before seeking pregnancy. So they can be treated before pregnancy and reduce your possible risks. These include stopping smoking, losing weight if you are overweight or gaining if you are too thin, control iron levels, eat healthy, do not exert yourself, take folic acid and iron, walk several times a week and avoid as possible sources of stress.
During pregnancy we will not always be able to control all possible risk factors but there are others that do. That is why it is convenient to focus on those who are in our power. If a premature birth still occurs, you should not feel bad or guilty for not having managed to lengthen the pregnancy. There are things that are not under our control and we should not beat ourselves up for it. Be grateful that your body created a life for as long as it was, and then it will be the doctors' job to take the best care of you. Do not miss the article "The first days at home with your premature baby."
Because remember ... following your medical check-ups is essential to monitor both your health and that of your baby as well as possible.