Premature Birth: Causes, Signs & Preventive Tips
Premature Birth Causes
There are numerous factors that can lead to premature birth and we’ve listed almost all of them for you. However, please note that according to เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย the Manual of Obstetrics by Holland and Brew, no plausible cause is found in around 30-50% of total preterm births making it an enigmatic complication.
Pregnancy Factors
a. Urinary Tract Infections
Nearly 30% of all premature labour is the result of maternal genital infection. Urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria can cause preterm labour and thus urine is sent for culture and sensitivity routinely in many centres. This also means that deprived women of lower socioeconomic status are at a higher risk of delivering premature babies.
b. Antepartum Haemorrhage
Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) is usually defined as bleeding from the birth canal after the 24th week of pregnancy. It can occur at any time until the second trimester is complete; bleeding following the birth of the baby is a postpartum haemorrhage.
c. Cervical Inefficiency
Cervical inefficiency also called an incompetent cervix, occurs when weak cervical tissues cause or contribute to premature birth. The structural weakness of the cervix causes the cervix to open prematurely and increases a woman’s risk of preterm delivery.
d. Uterine Anomalies
The risk of premature birth varies with the type of anomaly and the outcome is worse in cases of the unicornuate or bicornuate uterus as compared to the separate uterus.
Maternal Age
Advanced maternal age has a higher risk of immaturity and fetal defects. In older women, the ova, which has been present in an immature state from birth, may have been affected by ageing or exposure to chemicals, drugs and other harmful agents. Thus, advanced age has an association with an increased risk of premature birth. Inversely, in young women (those below 18) the reproductive system may not be fully developed and thus face similar problems.
Maternal Diet
The mother is the only source of nutrition for the unborn child and thus a diet including all the five components of a balanced meal – protein, fibre, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and an ample quantity of water is of utmost importance. Maternal diet deficiency has a direct relation with premature birth as it is one of the biggest determinant factors of maternal weight. It has been seen that when maternal weight is below 45 kgs, the rate of premature labour is three times more than what it is when maternal weight is over 55 kgs.
Maternal Medical Condition
German measles or rubella and cytomegalovirus diseases are among the most dangerous illnesses affecting pregnant mothers. These diseases also infect the child and thus cause significant developmental issues. If the rubella virus crosses the placenta, it can cause devastating results like premature birth.
Drugs and Chemicals Use
It is absolutely necessary to avoid any kind of drugs or chemicals unless professionally prescribed by a certified doctor. Drugs and alcohol cause fetal anomalies as mentioned above which eventually lead to premature labour. Cigarette smoking is also very closely associated with prematurity and low birth weight.