How common is premature birth?

About 1 out of every 10 births in the U.S. is premature. The number increases in lower-income countries. Complications from premature births are the leading cause of death in children younger than 5.

Why Are Babies Born Premature?

In about half of all cases, the cause of a premature birth is unknown. However, some of the reasons why babies are born prematurely are:

• Problems with the cervix when it is too weak to support the weight of the baby and the uterus so it begins to open prematurely (called cervical incompetence)
• Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)
• The mother gets an infection
• The mother has a medical condition that requires the baby to be delivered prematurely, such as B. Preeclampsia
• Problems with the placenta such as placental insufficiency, placenta Previa, placenta accrete or abrupt placenta
• Premature  rupture of membranes when the amniotic sac spontaneously ruptures
• The mother has a health condition such as diabetes
• A History of Premature Birth

Contact your doctor if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and notice any of the signs of preterm labor such as or right away in the next delivery suite. It may be possible to slow or stop labor. But with each day the baby stays in your womb, the better its chances of survival.

What are the signs of preterm labor?

In most cases, labor will come on by itself, and the signs are usually the same as for full-term labor.

• Signs of preterm labour include:
• Pressure in pelvis, as if baby is pushing down
• Cramps in the lower part of the abdomen
• Constipation, nausea or vomiting
• Constant lower back pain
• A change in your vaginal discharge or more discharge than normal
• Your vagina leaks mucus, blood, or fluid
• Water breaks
• Regular contractions or contractions that occur more than 4 times an hour
• The baby’s movements slow down or stop

Do multiple levels of prematurity exist?

Four categories of preterm births exist:

• Between 34 and 36 weeks gestation; late preterm.
• Born between 32 and 34 weeks gestation, moderately premature.
• Born before 32 weeks; extremely premature.
• Extreme prematurity, or birth before 25 weeks.

Are some women more likely to give birth early?

Premature birth may be more likely in you if you:

• Are of African descent.
• Either have a minimum age of 20 or a maximum age of 40.
• Possess a personal or family history of premature births.
• Smoking throughout pregnancy.
• Were underweight prior to conception.
• Cervical cerclage can be an option for you if you have a high risk of preterm labour or delivery. Your cervix will be stitched shut during this surgical operation until your baby is born.