Premature labor refers to going into labor before a fetus is 37 weeks gestational age. In the United States alone about one in eight babies are born before 37 weeks. Unfortunately, premature labor and delivery is the leading cause of death in newborn babies. Understanding the causes of premature birth is important because it can help women avoid potential risks of premature labor.
Unknown Causes
In four out of ten cases, the cause of the premature labor is not known. Studies have allowed for more insight than ever, but in some cases the actual cause of the preterm nature of the labor is never established.
Infection
Infection is one of the primary causes of premature labor. Forty to fifty percent of all preterm labor is due to infection. The issue is that while pregnant many women do not show signs of infection, so they do not realize anything is wrong. Antibiotics can clear up infections before they become troublesome. Treating women with group B strep has allowed for a reduction in premature births due to this specific infection.
Bleeding
Vaginal bleed is often associated with premature labor. There are some instances where the placenta will actually tear away from the uterus, and when this happens the fetus has to be delivered to give the baby as well as the mother a chance of surviving. Bleeding disorders in the mother or the baby may also account for premature labor.
Stretching of the Uterus
In some cases premature labor occurs because the uterus has been overstretched or distended, which will often start labor. Other issues of the uterus, such as fibroids, multiple pregnancies or an excess of amniotic fluid can also cause an overstretching of the uterus, which will lead to preterm labor.
Maternal Stress
When the mother is stressed a pregnancy will often be affected. Stress often triggers hormones that can lead to contractions and premature labor and delivery. Emotional stress as well as physical stress due to diabetes, unhealthy diet or anemia may cause premature labor as well.
Risks
Some women are at a higher risk of experiencing premature labor than others. Women who have had a premature labor in the past, those who are pregnant with multiple fetuses and those who have uterine or cervical abnormalities have a greater risk of experiencing a premature labor. Women who fall into these categories should speak with their doctor about precautions they can take to avoid preterm labor and delivery.
