What Are The Common Reasons For Premature Birth? Know Here!

Hello readers! Do you know what premature birth is? Well, it refers to the early birth of the baby before the actual date. Generally, the ideal period of pregnancy is 40 weeks but due to some reasons the timings get hastened or occur at 37 weeks.

Premature birth or preterm is one of the leading causes of death of children under 5 years of age.

Therefore, in this blog, we will cover all the reasons for premature birth, and we will also talk about the key solutions or preventive measures for the same. So, continue reading to know more!

Key Highlights

• Premature birth is when the baby is born too early or at 37 weeks.

• In 2020, around 13.4 million babies were born before 37 weeks of gestation period.

• Premature birth is the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age.

• Approximately  900,000 died as a result of premature birth in 2019.

Table of Contents

1. What Are The Common Reasons For Premature Birth?

2. What Are The Ways To Prevent Premature Birth?

3. What Are The Different Levels Of Prematurity? 

4. What Are The Complications Associated With Premature Birth?

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

What Are The Common Reasons For Premature Birth?

Premature birth is when a baby is born before its complete gestation period or before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Although the normal pregnancy period is 40 weeks, due to some factors it either gets delayed or occurs early. Both of the conditions possess alertness as they can cause serious health issues to the baby and mother. 

If we talk about the facts then approximately 1 out of every 10 births is premature. Not only this, it is a leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. Therefore it is important to understand the major cause behind the premature birth and the possible precautions or treatment options to counter it. Some of the most common reasons for premature birth are:

1. Uterine Abnormalities

Well, one of the key reasons for premature birth is uterine abnormalities. It refers to the unusual formation of the womb (uterus) than the normal one. Due to this the shape or the size of the uterus differs from the normal one which may cause a higher risk of premature birth of the baby.

2. Multiple Pregnancies (Twins or Triplets)

The other big reason for premature birth is multiple pregnancies meaning having twins or triplets. This condition already comes with a lot of complications therefore sometimes doctors themselves advise to go into premature labour to avoid this. Approximately 50% of twins and triplets are born before 37 weeks. Your medical practitioner may offer some medication or treatment to delay premature birth.

3. Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) 

Sometimes the baby itself undergoes some conditions like foetal growth restriction that trigger the emergence of premature birth. It is a condition where the baby is smaller than the expected growth size or when its growth stops during pregnancy. 

If someone is going through with this condition then it is advised to contact your doctor immediately to reduce the risk of complications.

4. Infection In The Womb Or Uterus

Infections are also a big reason behind premature birth. Various bacteria reside in the womb or the uterus of the woman that can cause serious infections. These bacteria include E. coli and group B streptococcus. They can cause urinary tract infections like: 

• Syphilis 

• HIV

• Gonorrhoea

• Trichomona

• Chlamydia

• Vaginosis

  
  

If you are facing the same issue then it's time to talk to your doctor as it may impose serious complications for the growing baby. 

5. Bleeding After 24 weeks

Now comes the most serious concern which is bleeding during pregnancy or after 24 weeks of conceiving. Generally, menstruation does not occur during pregnancy but in some cases, factors like low-lying placenta or placental abruption. The placenta is the structure that provides oxygen and nutrition to the baby in the womb.  Any bleeding in pregnancy is a matter of concern and if you are experiencing then contact your medical practitioner. This is one more reason for premature birth.

Also Read: 5 PMS Symptoms With Effective Ways To Reduce Naturally

6. Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

You will be shocked but yes diabetes is also a reason for premature birth. If you are dealing with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes then beware you are at a higher risk of getting more complications during pregnancy. To prevent this you should follow a healthy diet that manages your blood sugar level before and during your pregnancy.

7. Ageing 

Well, age is not only a reason for premature birth but is also responsible for various disorders. The reproductive years of girls are more active between 20s and 30s. So, if you conceive during these years then there are minimum chances of any complication but if getting pregnant below the age of 18 or over the age of 40 then there are higher chances of premature birth. 

Also Read: Healthy Ageing Tips: Reducing Stress And Anxiety For Better Health

8. Over Or Underweight 

Weight management is also necessary for risk-free pregnancy. Overweight women are more likely to have infertility issues. Plus, women with underweight also face problems during pregnancy. In most cases, both conditions result in premature birth. Therefore it is important to manage your weight if you are planning for a baby.

What Are The Ways To Prevent Premature Birth?

There are some medications that your doctor can offer to tackle premature birth like

What Are The Different Levels Of Prematurity?

There are 4 levels of prematurity which include:

What Are The Complications Associated With Premature Birth?

Some short-term complications you may encounter with premature birth include

1. Breathing problems:

• Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): Lungs lack surfactant, causing difficulty breathing. Treated with oxygen and medication.

• Apnea: Pauses in breathing, often temporary, monitored and sometimes treated with caffeine.

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): Underdeveloped lungs requiring oxygen support for weeks or months.

2. Heart problems:

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): Abnormal opening between blood vessels, treated with medication or rarely surgery.

• Low blood pressure: Difficulty pumping blood, managed with fluids, medications, or rarely blood transfusions.

3. Brain problems:

• Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH): Bleeding in the brain, monitored and rarely treated with medication.

The Final Say

Finally, after knowing all the leading reasons for premature birth it is now important to look for the same when needed. Do not ignore any of the symptoms otherwise, it may cause serious complications to you and your growing baby. 

Also, it is necessary to make regular visits to your doctor and have routine checkups. This will help you to track any new changes in your body and take care of preterm. Lastly, keeping yourself well hydrated and eating a nutritious diet may help to reduce the chances of premature birth. If you need more information regarding health issues then visit ToneOp.

FAQs

1. What is the earliest a baby can be born?

The earliest a baby can be born is  28 weeks of pregnancy.

2. What 4 factors increase the chances of premature births?

Factors that can increase the chances of premature birth are

• Infection in the uterus or womb.

• Bleeding during pregnancy

• Foetal growth restriction

• Multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets)

  
  

3. What are the major effects of premature birth on the mother?

anxiety, depression, behavioural changes and post-traumatic disorder are some of the major effects of premature birth on the mother.

4. What is preterm vs premature?

"Preterm" refers to a baby born before 37 weeks of gestation, but after the 24th week of pregnancy. This can include babies born at 24, 25, 26, or 27 weeks of gestation.

"Premature" refers to a baby born before 38 weeks of gestation. This can include babies born at 28, 29, 30, or 31 weeks of gestation. So, while preterm babies are those born before 37 weeks, premature babies are those born before 38 weeks. Both can be considered preterm or premature depending on the gestational age at birth.

5. What are preterm birth treatments?

Some treatments for preterm birth are:

• Progesterone injections

• Vaginal progesterone

• Antibiotics

• Cerclage (stitching the cervix)

• Bed restTocolytic drugs

  
  

6. What are the major premature birth health problems?

Some of the major health problems associated with premature birth are:

• Breathing problems

• Heart problems

• Brain problems

References 

• Preterm Birth | Maternal and Infant Health 

• Preterm birth

• Caring for your premature baby at home

About ToneOp

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