Premature Birth Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

Premature Birth

Premature birth is a birth that occurs before the baby’s Estimated Date of Birth (EDD). This means that premature birth is a birth that occurs before the beginning of the 37th week of pregnancy.

Babies who are born prematurely, especially those born very early, often have medical problems or complications. The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of complications.

Some of the factors that determine how early a baby is born prematurely are:

• Late preterm, babies are born between 34 to 36 completed weeks of pregnancy.
• Moderately preterm, the baby is born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
• Very preterm, baby born less than 32 weeks of pregnancy.
• Extremely preterm, a baby is born at or before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms of Premature Birth

Premature birth can happen unexpectedly, and its causes are often unknown. However, mothers need to recognize the symptoms of premature birth early on to be more alert:

• Contractions. Characterized by a tight feeling in the stomach. This symptom can occur every 10 minutes or more often.
• Changes in vaginal discharge. Characterized by a significant increase in the amount of vaginal discharge or leakage. In addition, there is bleeding from the vagina.
• The pelvis feels pressured or there is a feeling that the baby in the womb is pressing down.
• Pain in the lower back.
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea.

Meanwhile, symptoms can also be seen in babies in the womb. Some symptoms of prematurity in babies include:

• The baby is small, with a disproportionately large head.
• The baby’s face looks thinner, not round like the facial features of a baby of normal age. This is due to the lack of fat reserves.
• There is fine hair ( lanugo ) that covers most of the body.
• Low body temperature, especially right after birth due to lack of body fat stores.
• Experiencing respiratory problems, or shortness of breath.
• Lack of reflexes for sucking and swallowing makes it difficult for the baby to breastfeed.

Risk Factors for Premature Birth

Known risk factors associated with premature birth include:

• Pregnancy with twins, triplets, or other multiples.
• Getting pregnant through in vitro fertilization.
• Having problems with the uterus, cervix, or placenta.
• Being underweight or overweight before pregnancy.
• Experiencing stress or depression.
• Having had a previous experience of miscarriage or abortion.
• Experiencing physical injury or trauma.

Causes of Premature Birth

The cause of premature birth is often unknown and difficult to predict. However, there are several risk factors that can increase a mother’s risk of premature birth. Pregnant women with one of the following conditions are more likely to experience premature birth:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• High blood pressure

Other factors that can increase premature birth include:

• Having poor nutrition before and during pregnancy.
• Smoking, using illegal drugs, or drinking alcohol excessively during pregnancy.
• Having certain infections, such as urinary tract infections and amniotic fluid infections.
• Have had a premature birth in a previous pregnancy.
• Having an abnormal uterus.
• Cervical dilation weakens early.
• Pregnancy at age less than 17 years or at age older than 35 years.

Diagnosis of Premature Birth

To diagnose premature pregnancy, the doctor will ask about the symptoms and medical history of the pregnant woman, including the medications she is taking. Next, the obstetrician will examine the physical condition of the pregnant woman and fetus.

Physical examination of pregnant women includes checking vital signs, namely pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature. The obstetrician will also examine the pregnant woman’s vagina to determine the possibility of cervical opening. Not only that, the doctor may also recommend that pregnant women undergo further examinations, such as:

• Vaginal ultrasound, to measure the length of the cervix and the condition of the uterus.
• Cervical mucus examination, to check for a protein called fetal fibronectin. This protein is released when there is an infection or problem in the uterine tissue.
• Cardiotocography (CTG), this examination is to measure the frequency, duration, and strength of contractions. In addition, it is also to monitor the fetal heart rate.
• Vaginal swab, this examination is to detect whether there are bacteria that cause infections in the vagina. This examination is carried out if the doctor suspects an infection in the pregnant woman.

Premature Birth Treatment

Babies born prematurely often require medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This care is for babies in critical condition. Babies may be treated in the NICU for weeks or months.

• Placed in an incubator. The baby is placed in an incubator to keep warm to maintain normal body temperature. The nursing staff in the NICU will teach certain ways to hold the baby with direct skin-to-skin contact.
• Monitoring the baby’s vital signs. The baby’s body will be fitted with sensors to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and body temperature. While a ventilator is used to help the baby breathe.
• Using a feeding tube. Initially, the baby receives fluids and nutrients through an IV line. The mother can still breastfeed, but through a tube that passes through the baby’s nose and into his stomach (nasogastric tube). If the baby is strong enough to breastfeed, breast or bottle feeding can be done.
• Adequate fluids. Babies need fluids every day, depending on their age and medical condition. The NICU team will regularly monitor fluid, sodium, and potassium levels to ensure that the baby’s fluid levels remain as needed, given through the IV line.
• Putting your baby under a bilirubin lamp. To treat jaundice, your baby may need to be placed under a set of lights known as bilirubin lamps. These lights help your baby’s body system break down the excess bilirubin that builds up because the liver is not yet able to process it all.
• Receiving a blood transfusion. Premature babies may need a blood transfusion to increase their volume. Especially if the baby loses a lot of blood that is taken as samples for various tests.

Complications of Premature Birth

Actually, not all premature babies experience complications. However, being born too early can cause short-term and long-term health problems. Usually, the earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. The baby’s birth weight also plays an important role.

• Short-term complications

• Respiratory problems. Probably due to an immature respiratory system.
• Heart problems. Most commonly patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Brain problems. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk of bleeding in the brain.
• Temperature control disorders. Because babies do not have fat reserves in their bodies, they do not produce enough heat.
• Digestive problems. Because the digestive system is not yet fully developed.
• Blood problems. Such as anemia and jaundice.
• Metabolic problems. Because some premature babies have less glucose stores than full-term babies.
• Immune system problems. An underdeveloped immune system is common in premature babies, leading to a higher risk of infection.

• Long-term complications

• • Cerebral palsy or cerebral paralysis.
  • Having problems with learning.
  • Vision problems.
  • Hearing problems.
  • Dental problems.
  • Behavioral and psychological problems.
  • Chronic health problems.

Prevention of Premature Birth

Although the exact cause of premature birth is unknown, there are several ways that can be attempted to prevent premature birth. Especially for women who are at risk.

• Eat a healthy diet and lifestyle before and during pregnancy. Make sure to eat plenty of whole grains, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits.
• Drink plenty of water every day. The recommended amount is eight glasses per day but drink more if you exercise.
• Take aspirin daily from the first trimester on. If you have high blood pressure or a history of premature birth. Your doctor may recommend taking 60 to 80 milligrams of aspirin daily.
• Stop smoking, using illegal drugs or using certain prescription drugs excessively. These lifestyles, if followed during pregnancy, can increase the risk of certain birth defects, as well as miscarriage.
• Taking progesterone supplements. Especially for women who have a history of premature birth or have a short cervix.

When to See a Doctor?

During pregnancy, make sure to always undergo regular pregnancy check-ups. That way, potential pregnancy problems can be detected early by the obstetrician.