Premature birth is one of the most important challenges during pregnancy that can cause many worries for families.. This phenomenon, which is often associated with important consequences for the baby's health, occurs when the birth process begins before the end of the natural pregnancy period.. We give.... Stay with us until the end of this article.

What is premature birth?

Preterm labor occurs more than three weeks before the baby's estimated due date....in other words, it occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and before the 37th week....A normal pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks.

Premature babies, especially those born very early, often have complex medical problems....These problems may vary from person to person....but in general, the earlier the baby is born, the greater the risk of complications from preterm birth.

Premature birth is divided into several categories based on the time of occurrence:

• Premature or late: between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy
• Moderate prematurity: between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy
• Very premature: before the 32nd week of pregnancy
• Very premature: before the twenty-fifth week of pregnancy

Fetuses are born in the 34th to 36th week of pregnancy more than others.... In the past, premature birth was the main cause of infant death.... Nowadays, the quality of newborn care has improved and as a result the survival rate of premature babies has improved.... However, many premature babies are still born and some of them suffer from long-term disorders of the nervous system.

This is a sample photo of a seven-month-old baby.... As you can see, the baby is very small and underweight:

Learn more: The difference between natural birth and cesarean section

Symptoms of premature labor

Symptoms of premature birth in six months or other months of pregnancy include:

• Feeling of regular or frequent abdominal tightening (contraction)
• Back pain, especially if it is persistent
• Feeling of pressure in the pelvis or lower abdomen
• Slight abdominal cramps
• Slight spotting or bleeding
• rupture of water bag
• Change in vaginal discharge (may be bloody, watery or accompanied by mucus)

Any pregnant person who experiences one or more of the warning signs of early labor should contact a gynecologist or go to the hospital immediately.

To learn about the types of birth including water birth, prenatal care, warning signs, pregnancy related problems, etc., you can consult the best gynecologist through the GCORP LLC site.

Causes of premature birth

Often, the cause of premature birth cannot be identified.. but some factors may increase the probability of its occurrence.... Including:

• Diabetes
• heart disease
Kidney disease
• High blood pressure

Other factors that may be associated with this problem include:

• Underweight or overweight before pregnancy
• Twin or multiple pregnancy
• The time interval between pregnancies is less than 6 months (it is better to have an interval between 2 pregnancies between 18 and 24 months)
• History of more than one abortion
• damage or impact
• Improper nutrition before and during pregnancy
• Getting pregnant with in vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy
• Specific infections such as urinary tract infection
• Exposure to harmful chemicals such as paint, cigarette smoke, air pollution or lead
• Premature birth in previous pregnancies
• Abnormal uterus
• Cervical weakness
• Too much standing at work
• Pregnancy after the age of 35 or before the age of 17
• Surviving stressful events such as the death of a loved one or domestic violence

Complications of premature birth

Now that you are familiar with the symptoms of premature birth, you should also be familiar with its complications.... Some of these complications are evident at birth... But others may not appear for a long time.

1... Short-term complications for babies

Complications of premature birth in the first weeks include the following:

• breathing problems
• Heart problems such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure
• Brain problems including bleeding in the brain
• Difficulty in controlling body temperature
• Digestive problems such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
• Blood problems, for example anemia and jaundice in the baby
• Problems with metabolism, including very low blood sugar
• Immune system problems and increased risk of pneumonia, neonatal sepsis or other diseases

2....long-term complications for babies

Premature birth in the long term may lead to the following problems:

• cerebral palsy
• Learning disorders
• vision problems
• Hearing problems
• Dental problems, for example defects in tooth enamel
• behavioral problems

Some of these problems can be controlled with proper infant care....but others may lead to long-term disability or illness....Doctors perform various tests on premature babies immediately after birth....They are also monitored in the hospital....Common tests include:

• X-ray imaging of the chest to assess heart and lung development
• Blood test to evaluate blood sugar, calcium and bilirubin levels
• Determination of blood oxygen level

If you gave birth early, ask your gynecologist how you can protect your health and that of your baby..

3... Complications for mothers

Premature birth often affects children... but mothers may experience many emotional problems after giving birth, such as stress, anxiety or depression... if these problems persist for a long time, consult a mental health professional.

Regardless of the type of delivery, all mothers may face many problems after giving birth to their children, such as constipation, hair loss, skin spots, etc.. If these symptoms are bothersome, talk to your doctor about them....Reading medical articles, including the article "What to Eat for Postpartum Constipation" can also help.

Treatment of premature birth

Doctors often try to prevent the baby from being born by giving you certain medications that can delay labor.... Talk to your doctor about whether you need a C-section or can have a natural birth.

If premature labor occurs, the mother should go to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This allows the baby to receive immediate care after birth.

In the first few days of life, it is better for a premature baby to stay in the hospital so that the doctor can check the development of his vital organs. The baby may be kept in a machine to monitor his heart rate, breathing and blood oxygen levels.

Many premature babies cannot eat by mouth....because they are not yet able to suck and swallow....These babies are fed intravenously or using a tube that enters the stomach through the nose or mouth....When the baby gains enough strength to suck and swallow, breastfeeding becomes possible.

If the lungs are not fully developed, a premature baby may be given oxygen.. Depending on the condition of the baby, one of the following may be used for oxygenation:

• Ventilation: is a device that takes air in and out of the lungs.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: This is a treatment that uses gentle air pressure to keep the airways open.
• Oxygen hood: is a device that is placed on the baby's head to provide oxygen.

In general, a premature baby is discharged from the hospital in the following cases:

• Can feed from breast or bottle.
• He can breathe without a machine.
• His body weight and temperature are maintained naturally.

Ways to prevent premature birth

Receiving prompt and appropriate prenatal care significantly reduces the likelihood of preterm birth. Other important preventive measures include:

• Before and during pregnancy, you should eat a healthy diet...so eat plenty of whole grains, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits.
• Drink plenty of water every day... the recommended amount is eight glasses a day, but if you exercise, your body needs more water.
• Quit smoking and avoid consuming alcoholic beverages....Using these substances during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth, miscarriage, and birth defects.
• Keep at least 18 months between pregnancies.
• Try to reduce your stress... For example, you can try meditation, yoga and some stretching exercises.... Consult your doctor before doing any kind of exercise.

If you are concerned about preterm labor, talk to a gynecologist... Your doctor may suggest other measures to prevent this problem... She can also guide you about normal labor symptoms for boys and girls.

Learn more: What should not be done in the first month of pregnancy?

Endword

A wide range of risk factors and underlying conditions can increase the likelihood of preterm birth.. Following a healthy lifestyle and certain medical practices may prevent the birth of a premature baby.. Physicians including gynecologists online.... GCORP LLC also provides you with the opportunity to make an appointment with an obstetrician of your choice through an online appointment system..

Frequently Asked Questions

Source: mayoclinic