Can mothers delay premature birth? & bull; hello healthy

Premature birth is a condition in which the baby is born before the mother's gestational age reaches 37 weeks. Some cases of preterm birth occur spontaneously - the mother has contractions too early and the baby is born prematurely. In other cases, pregnancy-related complications (eg preeclampsia or infection) force doctors to start labor sooner than planned. About three-quarters of preterm births are spontaneous and another quarter are births that occur as a result of medical complications. Overall, one in eight pregnant women had a preterm birth.

There are several treatments that can prevent preterm labor in high-risk pregnant women, and some can stop or delay preterm birth if the situation requires that you give birth early.

Delaying preterm birth for at least two weeks will improve the baby's quality of life

Premature birth can cause serious or even fatal health problems for the baby, especially if this occurs very early. Fetuses born before 23 weeks cannot survive outside the mother's womb. Babies born before 25 weeks have an especially high risk of long-term problems, including learning disabilities and neurological problems. About 20 percent of these babies have severe birth defects.

Some premature babies may have breathing problems. Prematurity also puts babies at greater risk for brain hemorrhages. The nervous system, digestive tract, and other organs may also be affected. Premature babies are more prone to infections and jaundice, and may have difficulty eating and maintaining their body temperature.

Most preterm babies are generally born between 34 and 37 weeks. Premature babies grow more slowly than babies born on time. If these “late preterm babies” have no other health problems at birth, their quality of life will generally be better than those born much earlier. However, they still face the risk of health problems that can continue as they grow older than babies born on time, including autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, lung problems, and loss of vision and hearing.

In general, the more mature a baby is at birth, the better its chances of survival and health. The fetus's ability to survive outside the womb increases dramatically between 24 and 28 weeks, from about 50 percent at the start of the 24th week to more than 80 percent at four weeks later. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, reported by Time, shows that the mortality rate for premature babies can decrease by half if delivery can be delayed until at least 39 weeks of gestation.

What can be done to prevent preterm birth if I am at high risk?

There are many things a woman can do to reduce her risk of preterm delivery although this does not guarantee that she will be 100 percent protected from preterm birth, and not all pregnant women are candidates for every treatment.

Women who are at high risk of having a preterm birth, especially those who have had a previous history of premature birth, may be candidates for one or more of the following treatments:

1. Antenatal corticosteroid (ACS)

Corticosteroids are drugs that cross the placenta to promote accelerated development of your baby's lungs, brain and digestive system.

An ACS will be injected into your arm or leg, and it will work in about 24 hours. This medication also helps reduce your baby's chances of having certain health problems after birth, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular bleeding (IVH) aka bleeding in the brain, and necrotizing enterocolitis (also called NEC) that affects the baby's intestines.

If you are at high risk for preterm birth, you may be given corticosteroids from around week 23 to 34.

2. Tokolitik

Tocolytics are drugs to delay or stop contractions for a short time (up to 48 hours). This delay can give you time to get treatment with ACS or magnesium sulfate - magnesium sulfate should not be given for more than 5 to 7 days - or to give your team of doctors enough time to transfer you to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, if you have heart problems or severe preeclampsia, some types of tocolytics may not be safe for you.

3. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to kill infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics can be given to pregnant women who are at high risk of preterm delivery due to premature rupture of membranes. Women who experience premature rupture of membranes are at risk of developing uterine infections.

In addition, if your water breaks too early on schedule, the amniotic sac that holds your baby will not be completely sealed, leaving premature babies very susceptible to infection. Antibiotics can be used to reduce the risk of your premature baby developing an infection. A common cause of infection in newborns is group B streptococcal bacteria (GBS).

4. Progesterone

Progesterone is a key hormone in maintaining pregnancy, and it is known that levels will decrease in the time leading up to delivery. That's why progeterone has been tested to prevent prematurity; which may be related to reducing the effects of stretching of the uterus and / or softening of the cervix that contribute to labor.

However, there are many pros and cons of studies regarding whether progesterone is really effective for delaying preterm birth in high-risk women. Talk with your team of doctors whether progesterone therapy might be right for you.

5. Cerclage of the uterus

Cerclage is a suture procedure to close the cervix of your uterus so that the baby is not born too early. The team of doctors will perform a cerclage at around the 37th week of pregnancy. Cerclage has been used for over 50 years to treat preterm births, but is mostly used only for certain women. For example, if you have a short cervix.

Cerclage doesn't work to stop labor as soon as it starts, but it can prolong pregnancy in some women.

6. Rest at home

Contrary to popular popular belief, bed rest does not help prevent preterm birth and has its risks.

If your doctor says you are no longer at risk of emergency preterm labor, you can go home. The symptoms of early labor often stop, so you can continue the pregnancy a little longer. Most women at high risk of preterm birth will deliver healthy babies on time. However, if you are actually in labor, it is impossible to stop it.

What happens if my risk of preterm delivery persists?

If your labor continues and cannot be stopped, a team of doctors or midwives will prepare to deliver your baby for medical reasons. If this happens, your labor may need to be induced, or you may need an early caesarean section. About a quarter of preterm births occur on medical induction.

Your doctor may advise you to give birth prematurely if your baby:

• Does not grow as expected
• Have a medical disorder

Or, if you have:

• Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia or diabetes
• Other medical conditions that will be safer (for you and your baby) if your baby is born early
• Trauma in the stomach

Remember, having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that your baby will be born prematurely. The risks listed above only increase the chances of it happening.

If preterm labor continues, you and the baby will usually be treated by a team of health professionals, which will also include a neonatologist, a specialist in treating newborn problems. The care your baby needs will depend on how early he was born. A high-quality neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) facility has special care for premature babies.