Premature Births

Premature births are those that occur at least three weeks prior to the due date (37 weeks) and can happen to anyone - even women who have had a normal, low-risk pregnancy - and their cause often remains a mystery. Premature babies, or "preemies," suffer from underdeveloped organs that are essential to their survival. Luckily, premature births are less threatening to present day mothers and babies, and most preemies reach stable ground by 18 to 24 months of age.

Complications Associated With Premature Births

Because the baby is born so early, many organs such as the heart, eyes, and lungs or still undeveloped and malfunction, making it harder for the baby to survive without assistance. The most common problems include:

• Immature Lungs: respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnea, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) all affect the child's ability to breathe properly and some will require the assistance of a respirator.
• Infections: premature newborns are incapable of fighting off infections on their own, relegating them to incubators for extended periods of time for protection.
• Intraventricular Hemmorhage (IVH): may affect preemies born before 34 weeks and increases the odds of bleeding in the brain due to immature blood vessels that can't tolerate the fluctuations in blood flow during delivery. IVH may also cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and learning difficulties.
• Immature Gastrointestinal and Digestive System: limits a premature baby's ability to absorb nutrients effectively. IVs are necessary to feed the baby because they do not possess the coordination to breast or bottle feed. Tubes will be used to feed your baby up until he or she reaches 34 weeks.
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP): is a blinding disorder that affects premature babies born around 24-26 weeks and requires laser surgery to repair the child's vision.

If your baby is born prematurely, rest assured that he or she will be monitored and cared for 24 hours a day by the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Do not be alarmed if you see a variety of tubes and wires connected to your baby; they are essential to his or her survival, relaying information to doctors about your baby's condition while feeding and supplying medication.

Warning Signs

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention reports half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States every year. Although they are the leading cause of death to infants, your doctor may recommend a premature birth for your baby if continuing the pregnancy is a risk to you or your baby's life. Red flags that you may be experiencing premature labor:

• Contractions every 10 minutes.
• Changes in your vaginal discharge such as leaking fluid or bleeding.
• Pelvic pressure, suggesting that your baby is pushing down.
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea.

Smoking and drinking, carrying multiple children, and maternal health issues (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), can increase your chances of a premature birth. In order to lower your chances of giving birth prematurely, be sure to have frequent medical check-ups with your provider or seek medical attention if any warning signs arise.

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