Preterm birth is characterized by the birth of the baby before 37 weeks of gestation, being the main cause of health problems in the newborn, such as difficulty breathing and heart disease. Know other causes of preterm birth by clicking here.
Whenever possible the doctor tries to delay birth by using medications and techniques to prevent uterine contractions and dilation, however, it is difficult to postpone delivery for more than 48 to 72 hours.
Normally, due to the immaturity of some of the internal organs such as kidneys, lungs and brains, infants who are born before the expected delivery date need to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
How To Recognize Preterm Labor
The main sign of labor is the strong, rhythmic uterine contractions that occur before 37 weeks of gestation. The contractions that may indicate labor has started are at least 4 contractions in 20 minutes or 8 contractions in 1 hour, in addition to 1 cm dilation.
To make sure that labor began the doctor can evaluate the woman for 2 to 3 hours because if there is no dilatation and if the contractions decrease with rest, it can be said that it was a false labor.
| True labor | False labor |
| Regular contractions | Irregular contractions |
| Contractions that become more frequent | There may be decreased contractions |
| Pelvic and back pain | Abdominal pain |
| Contractions increase when walking | Walking does not interfere with contractions |
| Increased uterine cervix dilatation | No dilation or dilation does not increase |
After identifying that the woman is in labor before the due date the doctor can keep her hospitalized to evaluate the health and development of the baby. The baby at 26 weeks of gestation or more weeks should be evaluated constantly to check their heart rate through fetal cardiotocography.
Treatment
When a woman is between 26 and 34 weeks of gestation the obstetrician may indicate the use of birth control medicines, such as ritonavir, Atasiban and magnesium sulfate.
These medications should not be used in case of: fetal death or suffering, mismatching incompatible with life, growth restriction, rupture of membranes, amniotic infection, placental abruption, placenta previa, hypertensive syndrome, uncontrolled diabetes, Sickle cell anemia.
What can happen to the baby
The complications of preterm birth depend mainly on the gestational age of the baby at birth and are described below:
- Preterm delivery at 23 to 25 weeks: most cases can develop serious deficiencies, such as cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness;
- Preterm delivery at 26 and 27 weeks: some cases may develop moderate deficiencies, such as visual impairment, lack of motor control, chronic asthma and difficulty in learning;
- Preterm delivery at 29 to 31 weeks: most babies develop without problems, but some may have mild forms of cerebral palsy and visual problems;
- Preterm delivery at 34-36 weeks: premature babies develop similarly to those born within the predicted time, but are more likely to have developmental and learning problems.
Generally, babies of preterm birth are placed in an incubator since they are not able to maintain body temperature. Thus, this appliance maintains the temperature and humidity similar to the uterus, allowing its development.
Babies younger than 34 weeks of gestation may be attached to a breathing apparatus because before 34 weeks' gestation they lack a surfactant, a substance that facilitates the entry of air into the lungs and therefore signs such as bluish fingernails and fingertips, lips and nose flap.
In addition, babies are at increased risk of retinopathy, which impairs visual ability, so all premature infants need to wear a blindfold while in the hospital.
Characteristics of Premature Baby
The premature baby is small, thin and may have difficulty breathing, having to stay connected to breathing apparatus and probes to be fed. The baby needs to wear a diaper and can stay in the hospital for weeks or months, being evaluated continuously by pediatricians and physiotherapists. Pro times, they need to undergo surgeries to correct deformities and ensure their proper development.
When the premature baby goes home
Usually the baby can go home when he reaches 2 kg and when his organs are developed, being able to swallow without probes and does not present difficulty breathing. Learn how to take care of premature birth at home by clicking here.
