Premature Baby - Causes and Treatment

Summary

Premature babies can be born for many reasons. There are chances that you as a mother may develop some complications during pregnancy. It is always advisable to be in constant touch with a gynaecologist during your pregnancy. 

Premature Baby

These days, most pregnancies last the standard 40 weeks. A preterm or premature baby is one born before the 37th week of pregnancy. With today's advanced medical care, over 90% of preterm infants survive, and the vast majority go on to have healthy, full-term childhoods. Babies born very early are more likely to have difficulties developing normally. Babies born between 23 and 24 weeks have a risky sign of survival.

Cause of Premature Birth

Nearly half of all occurrences of premature delivery have no recognised cause. On the other hand, some of the causes of premature birth are:

• Issues with the cervix include premature opening because the cervix is too weak to support the uterus and foetus (called cervical incompetence)
• The womb has more than one live fetus
• During childbirth, the woman contracts an illness.
• the woman has a condition, such as preeclampsia, that necessitates an early delivery.
• placental anomalies such as insufficiency, praevia, accretion, and abruption
• early amniotic sac rupture, also known as preterm labour or premature rupture of membranes
• mother suffers from a disease like diabetes or past preterm births

You should immediately contact your doctor or the nearby hospital if you feel any of the following symptoms of premature labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy: 

• contractions, 
• signs such as blood or 
• mucus leaking from the vagina or the uterus, or
• a sudden decrease in the baby's movements should be taken seriously. The rate of contractions may be delayed or even stopped. 
• The longer a baby is in the womb, the higher its chance of survival.

Symptoms of Premature Baby/ Birth

Symptoms of an impending preterm birth include:

• ache in the lower back that doesn't go away; 
• pressure in the pelvis like the baby is pushing down; 
• cramps in the lower abdomen; diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting
• a deviation from your usual mucus, blood
• fluid discharge from your vaginal waters irregular contractions, or contractions that arrive more frequently than 4 times an hour
• a decrease or cessation in your baby's movement

When to consult a doctor?

It is recommended to contact your gynaecologist or midwife if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms. Help should be sought out quickly if an early delivery is expected.

• If you suffer any swelling in your face, hands, or feet, or if you have double vision, blurred vision, or any other eye abnormalities, you should call your midwife or doctor immediately. 
• Pre-eclampsia, a leading cause of birth of premature babies, manifests itself clinically in several ways.
• Premature babies necessitate the need for specialised infant care services, such as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery (SCN).

Treatment for Premature Babies 

It is always recommended to consult your healthcare provider as soon as you experience symptoms of abnormality. You can expect a pelvic exam or ultrasound when you visit the hospital. The medical staff will monitor the baby and examine it to see if your cervix has opened for labour.

Having a premature baby is a medical emergency that requires delivery at a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There may be a possibility of transfer for both you and your newborn if the hospital where the birth takes place does not have a neonatal intensive care unit.

During labour, you may be prescribed medication to temporarily halt contractions. In case of emergency, you will be able to be moved to another medical facility. The use of steroids can lessen the likelihood that a prematurely born infant will experience health problems (particularly breathing difficulties and bleeding).

Rapid delivery is possible for premature babies. Most of the time, they'll be born via natural birth. In other situations, though, the doctor may determine that a caesarean section is necessary to ensure the baby's safety. This choice will be made in conjunction with your doctor.

Care for Premature Babies 

If your infant has any health concerns, be sure to discuss them with his or her doctors. It's possible that he won't need to stay in the NICU if he's well enough to go home soon after birth. Generally, the hospital will release your child to you when he/she:

• a minimum of 4 pounds
• Able to regulate body temperature without the use of an incubator. A baby can stay warm in an incubator, which is a bed made of transparent plastic.
• Allows either breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
• Regularly puts on weight
• independent respiration
• Your newborn may continue to require specialised care, medication, or equipment even after you bring him home from the hospital. 

The hospital staff and the doctor who delivered your baby can advise you on these matters and show you how to care for your newborn at home.

Conclusion

Even while some preemies make full recoveries, premature birth is associated with an increased risk of both acute and chronic health issues. In general, the likelihood of problems increases with prematurity. The amount of weight a baby has at birth also matters.

Some conditions are noticeable right away, while others may not manifest themselves until much later.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Hyderabad - Kondapur. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.