A full-term or normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. A baby born before 37 weeks of gestation is considered a premature infant. An infant born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation is considered full-term, while a baby born after 42 weeks is post-term. There are ways to reduce the risk of having a premature baby, but sometimes it occurs for reasons out of the mother's control.
Risks Contributing to Premature Birth
It is not always known why a woman gives birth to her baby prior to the 37th week. According to MedlinePlus, carrying more than one baby, such as twins, accounts for about 15 percent of all premature births. Other risk factors that contribute to premature labor include diabetes, heart disease, infections and kidney disease. Women can develop pregnancy-related conditions that lead to early labor, including a weakened cervix, defects in the uterus, a history of preterm delivery, poor nutrition before and during pregnancy, high blood pressure and the premature rupturing of membranes. Some women are at a greater risk for premature birth due several factors including ethnicity, being younger than 16, being older than 35, having poor or no prenatal care, low socioeconomic status and using drugs or other harmful substances.
Likelihood of Premature Birth
Premature birth occurs in 8 percent to 10 percent of all pregnancies in the United States, according to MedlinePlus. Premature birth is not rare but it also isn't as common as a pregnant woman might fear. Eliminating any factors that contribute to an increased risk of premature birth can significantly reduce the likelihood of early labor.
Warning Signs of Premature Labor
Premature or preterm labor begins like full-term labor. Contractions might not be the first sign of premature labor, but they are often the most recognizable. A woman might develop a constant, low, dull backache, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians. She might have mild abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea. Passing fluids including mucus, water or blood from the vagina can indicate the passing of the mucus plug, the tissues that block the opening of the cervix until it begins to open in preparation for childbirth. Contractions will become longer, more intense and more regular than the Braxton Hicks contractions experienced earlier in the pregnancy. Report any of these signs to your health care professional right away. He might prescribe treatment to stop premature labor, including medication and bed rest.
Characteristics of a Preemie
Babies who are born before the 37th week of pregnancy weigh less than full-term babies. Because their organs have not had enough time to develop, a premature baby, or preemie, can have health problems. According to the American Pregnancy Association, potential health problems include respiratory problems due to poor lung function, infection, jaundice, bleeding in the brain, poor body heat regulation and anemia. The earlier a baby is born, the more health problems the baby might have. Some problems continue for months or even years beyond the birth. Babies born close to 37 weeks might do well after birth but will weigh less and may struggle to feed well. It is not uncommon for a preemie to have a weak suck, making breastfeeding or bottle feeding difficult. Other physical traits include more lanugo, or fine hair covering the body, less body fat, thin skin that is shiny and reduced muscle tone.
Caring for a Premature Baby
Most premature babies spend some time in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. A baby remains in the NICU until the organ systems function on their own. A baby born very close to the 37th week might not spend as much time in the NICU as one born well before the 37th week. While in the NICU, a baby might have a feeding tube, breathing assistance and continued monitoring of blood sugar and other vital signs. Once a premature baby is released from the hospital, parents can continue monitoring the baby's eating and growth. Routine well-baby checkups are important to maintain. A preemie who is sent home might have delayed development, at least temporarily. Usually doctors do not assess the growth and development of preemies the same as they do full-term babies, because the preemie has to catch up.
