What Causes Premature Birth

Premature birth is also often referred to as pre-term birth. The term is used for the event where the baby is delivered much before the completion of the maturity period. The standard period of pregnancy is 40 weeks. However, delivery during the 39th, 38th, or 37th week is also considered as normal. But, if the birth of the baby takes place even before that, it is known as premature delivery. There are also instances when the baby is delivered a couple of weeks after the standard period. Such deliveries are referred to as post-mature birth in medical term.

Complications

The chances of complications in a premature birth case depend upon several factors. In general, the intensity and amount of complications are indirectly proportion to the length of the pregnancy period. It means that there are greater amount of risks and complications involved in premature delivery cases where the term of pregnancy is very short. However, it does not mean that if the pregnancy period is greater than the standard term, it will be beneficial for the mother and the baby. The opposite is also damaging. If the birth takes place in 41st or 42nd week, it is fine, but the delivery cases in 43rd week or a later period involves some serious complications.

Factors That Contribute To A Premature Birth

There are several factors that may contribute to a premature baby. Let me give you a brief insight into some of them.

• If the expectant mother used alcohol or tobacco substantially during pregnancy, the chances of a premature delivery increase. However, if the mother has quit smoking or drinking before the 32nd week, the risk may be minimized.
• The chances of such delivery cases are also high if there were complications involved in the conception. If you spend more than a year before pregnancy in trying to conceive, you are at a higher risk of pre-term birth. Easier conception means lesser amount of risk. Researches show that 40% of the cases where women had difficulty conceiving resulted in premature birth.
• If it is a case of multiple pregnancies, involving twins or triplets, there are over 50% chances of pre-term delivery.
• Pregnancy history also matters a lot. Some of the risky factors in this regard may include prior miscarriage, vaginal bleeding during labor, antepartum hemorrhage, prior induced abortion, and prior preterm delivery.
• There are also several factors associated with maternal disease or condition that eventually increase the risk of premature birth. Such factors may include periodontal disease, higher level of anxiety, maternal diabetes, pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, and Chromasomal abnormalities.
• Age factor is also important. The risks are higher if the age of the mother is less than 18 or greater than 35.
• Short cervix is also one of the strongest predictors of premature birth.

However, the good news is that the recent researches have found some preventing premature birth methods that promise good results.