Preterm birth refers to the birth of the baby before 37 weeks of gestation, which can occur due to a uterine infection, premature rupture of the amniotic sac, placental abruption, or women’s-related diseases, such as anemia or preeclampsia.
This can be seen through symptoms such as frequent and regular uterine contractions, increased vaginal discharge and pressure, or pain in the pelvic area, for example. It is important for a woman to go to the hospital as soon as she experiences these signs and symptoms, as preterm birth may be a risk to the baby, as depending on gestational age, the organs may still be very immature and there may be heart problems and shortness of breath, for example.
- For example.
- In the case of preterm birth.
- Your doctor may try to postpone childbirth by using medications and techniques to prevent contractions and uterine dilation.
- However.
- It is difficult to delay delivery by more than 48 to 72 hours.
- In the case of the birth of a premature baby.
- It is common to remain in neonatal resuscitation to control its development and avoid complications.
Preterm birth is more likely to occur in women over 35 years of age or younger than 16, are pregnant with twins, have had another preterm birth, or when blood loses from the vagina in the third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, other situations that may result in premature birth include:
In addition, women with a history of vaginosis also have an increased risk of preterm birth, as some bacteria can release toxins and promote the release of prostaglandins and cytokines that promote childbirth. Some foods and herbs may also promote uterine contraction and stimulate preterm birth and are therefore contrasted during pregnancy. See a list of teas that pregnant women should not consume.
The woman may suspect that she is starting to work prematurely when she shows certain signs and symptoms, such as:
Therefore, if the woman develops these symptoms before 37 weeks of gestation, it is important that she call her obstetrician and go to the hospital for evaluation and necessary measures can be taken.
To certify that there is a risk of preterm birth and decide what to do in this case, your doctor may evaluate the measurement of the cervix by transvaginal ultrasound and the presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal discharge.
A measurement above 30 mm in the cervix indicates an increased risk of childbirth in 7 days and women with this value should be evaluated for fibronectin. If the woman has measurements between 16 and 30 mm but negative fetal fibronectin has a low risk of childbirth, however, when fetal fibronectin is positive, there is a risk of childbirth within 48 hours.
Complications of preterm birth are related to the gestational age of the baby at birth and may exist:
In general, premature babies are placed in an incubator because they cannot maintain their body temperature. Thus, this device maintains temperature and humidity similar to the uterus, allowing its development.
Babies under 34 weeks gestation can be connected to a respiratory system, as before 34 weeks of gestation they lack a surfactant, a substance that facilitates air entry into the lungs and therefore signs such as a bluish color may appear. fingernails and fingertips, lips and nasal flap.
In addition, premature babies have an increased risk of retinopathy, which decreases their visual ability, which is why all premature babies should wear an eye blindfold during their stay in neonatal intensive care. The baby is only released at home when he reaches 2 kg and his organs are more developed, so he can swallow without a tube and breathe without the help of devices.
To avoid preterm birth, what a pregnancy can do throughout pregnancy is to avoid excessive physical activity and follow all the obstetrician’s instructions during prenatal appointments.
However, if delivery begins before the scheduled time, the obstetrician may recommend the use of medications such as corticosteroids or oxytocin antagonists, which can be used between 25 and 37 weeks gestation. These techniques to prevent preterm births should be practiced in the hospital and applied according to the benefits for the mother and baby.