How Can You Prevent a Premature Delivery?

Do you know babies born early can have health problems that might last their entire lives? Preterm deliveries or births are increasingly common these days. According to the WHO, 13.4 million babies were born too early in 2020. India holds the highest number of preterm births, with over 3.5 million infants, accounting for 23.4% of global preterm deliveries.

Preterm births often lead to underdeveloped organs in infants. It might cause complications like breathing difficulties, feeding issues, developmental delays, vision or hearing impairments, and weak immunity. With proper pregnancy care knowledge and innovative new technology, you can now reduce the risk of preterm delivery and its complications. 

Wondering how to keep pregnancy full term and ensure a healthy baby delivery? Scroll down to find out!

What is Premature Delivery?

Premature delivery or preterm labour is giving birth to an infant at least three weeks before your due date. It means a spontaneous onset of labour pain before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Preterm babies often have complications that vary in degree. It is because the growing fetus’s organs, including the lungs, brain, and liver, will be fully developed in the final few weeks of the pregnancy. Based on how early the preterm delivery happens, an infant can be,

• Late Preterm - Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
• Moderately Preterm - Babies born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.
• Very Preterm - Babies born between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
• Extremely Preterm - Babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy.

What Causes Preterm Births?

To understand how to reduce the risk of premature birth, you need to recognise that most preterm births occur spontaneously. The exact cause is often unknown. But some factors may increase your risk of going into labour before your due date. It includes,

• Carrying twins, triplets, or other multiples
• A medical history of preterm birth
• Getting pregnant through In Vitro Fertilisation
• Physical trauma or a stressful lifestyle
• Chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure (preeclampsia)
• Chorioamnionitis, an infection of amniotic fluid and its surrounding membranes
• Complications of the uterus or cervix
• Placental conditions, like placental abruption or placental previa.

Ways To Prevent Early Delivery During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, it is common to have a birth plan that lasts for the normal 40 weeks. But when it comes to delivery, something your little one or health condition has a mind of its own. It is not possible to prevent preterm labour at times when it is inevitable and necessary to deliver the baby. However, there are some natural ways to prevent early labour during pregnancy. Let’s find them below:

Visit Your Healthcare Professional Regularly

When you become pregnant, start your prenatal care early. Be regular with your appointment to diagnose any potential problems early and get the right treatment. It will ensure that you have a healthy and stress-free pregnancy.

Get to a Healthy Weight

Overweight and underweight women have higher chances of giving birth to a preemie. Gaining too much weight can lead to complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Being underweight can also be a cause of concern for nutritional deficiencies that might affect your baby. Therefore, make sure to eat right and exercise regularly as advised by your healthcare professional.

Take All the Necessary Tests

Studies reported that uterine infections are one of the leading causes (40%) of preterm birth. When you are able to recognise and treat the infections on time, it will greatly reduce the risk of premature delivery. Therefore, make sure to go in for regular screening and get all your tests done to increase the chances of having a healthy baby. 

Inform your Doctor About Complications

Certain factors, like pregnancy at 35 years older or pregnancy with IVF, can increase the chances of preterm delivery. If you suffer from any of them, make sure to inform your doctor immediately. They will immediately chart out a personalised plan to minimise the risk factors.

Keep an Eye out for the Symptoms

There isn't much that can be done once you go into labour, even if it's early. However, when you know the symptoms, it will help your healthcare professional to delay the birth for a few days. Some common symptoms include contractions every ten minutes, fluid leaking from the vaging, pelvic pressure, lower back pain, and menstrual-like abdominal cramps that begin at the back. 

Also Read: Natural ways to boost fertility in women

Medical Intervention to Prevent Premature Birth

Some women, despite following the preterm birth prevention methods, might go into labour early. For instance, if you have a short or weak cervix or have had a premature baby in your previous pregnancy, you are more likely to go into labour sooner. In such cases, healthcare professionals might recommend the following treatment to keep your pregnancy full-term.

• Antenatal Steroids: Corticosteroids can accelerate the growth and maturation of the infant’s organs in the respiratory system, like the lungs. It ensures a healthy childbirth with a low mortality rate.
• Progesterone Therapy: Progesterone can be administered through the vagina. It lowers the chances of going into labour early for women who do not have a history of miscarriage or preterm birth.
• Cervical Cerclage: It is a surgical procedure where the healthcare professional stitches the area around the womb’s neck, the cervix. It will support the growing fetus and let it develop until full term. The procedure is usually for women who have a short cervix or have a cervix that begins to dilate too early. 

What if Labour Starts Early?

If you think you are in labour or having contractions, or bleeding before the full term, you should call your healthcare professional right away. If labour starts early, make sure to visit the hospital with the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), which specialises in treating pre-term babies. The care plan for a woman in preterm labour includes the following: 

• Antibiotics: These medications can treat or prevent infections in the baby and the mother.
• Medicine to slow or stop contractions: Medications such as tocolytics may be given to stop or slow down the contractions if they have already started.

Delaying labour even for a day or two can give adequate time for steroids to develop the fetus’s lungs. It also provides time for your labour team to prepare for the delivery. 

Tips To Avoid Preterm Labour Again

Doctors can determine your risk of having a preterm birth by getting a thorough history and review of your past pregnancies. While the chances are higher, there are some tips to avoid preterm labour and having another preemie, such as: 

• Plan your Pregnancy Spacing

Pregnancies with a space of less than 6 months apart can increase the risk of preterm birth. Make sure to plan your pregnancy with at least 18 months apart. It will allow your body to heal for a healthy pregnancy.

• Take Care of Chronic Diseases

If you have a chronic disease, work with your healthcare professional to get it controlled before your next pregnancy. It will keep you healthy and may reduce your chances of another early delivery.

• Visit the Dentist

Complications like uterine infection may occur if you have dental conditions like periodontal disease. Get regular deep cleaning by a dental professional and follow proper dental care to defend against premature delivery.

• Eat Right and Move More

A nutritious diet before pregnancy, including whole grains, plenty of fruits, and vegetables, will help you keep yourself fit. Regular exercise will help you relax, reduce chronic stress, and decrease the chances of premature delivery. Make sure to discuss your exercise regimen with your doctor. 

Prevent Premature Delivery With the Right Care and Tips!

A full-term pregnancy, about 40 weeks, is best for your baby’s health. However, it is hard to know exactly when you will give birth to your little one. Over 1 in 10 babies are born preterm. While the stat sounds alarming, it is also important to realise that a preterm delivery is a possibility and not an inevitability. Proper prenatal care with healthy lifestyle choices on how to reduce the risk of premature birth can improve your overall health during the gestation cycle. 

At Apollo Spectra, we have years of experience and the latest technology to help ensure that your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible. Visit us today!