Becoming parents is one of the most exciting and life-changing experiences. But the journey to parenthood isn’t always as smooth as we’d like it to be. The challenges of pregnancy can bring their own set of fears and uncertainties—whether it’s morning sickness, sleepless nights, or worries about the baby’s health. For some, it is an unexpected twist: premature birth.
This is because p HYPERLINK “https://www.lifecell.in/blog/health-and-nutrition/premature-birth-causes-complications-and-prevention”remature birth, which often distresses to-be parents, could create considerable risk to the growing baby’s safety. It’s natural to feel uncertain about what’s to come. Understanding the causes, risks and further procedures involved in premature birth can help you stay relaxed and have a peace of mind.
Moreover, one step in ensuring your child’s future good health is through the preservation of cord blood stem cells. These stem cells, possessing the remarkable potential to regenerate and repair tissues, can be preserved for future use to treat numerous conditions, from blood diseases to immune disorders.
LifeCell’s stem cell banking enables you to preserve stem cells from your newborn baby’s umbilical cord at birth, so precious resources are on hand if required in the future. This easy, proactive measure gives parents peace of mind, knowing they have taken steps to safeguard their child’s health in the future.
By making informed choices while pregnant, such as banking stem cells, you are paving the way to a healthier tomorrow for your baby.
What Is Premature Birth?
Premature birth, or preterm birth, is the delivery of the infant prior to the completion of 37 weeks of gestation, while an uncomplicated pregnancy normally takes 40 weeks. Preterm infants commonly experience extensive medical complications based on the immaturity of their key organs. The more preterm the delivery, the more chance there is for complications like breathing problems, poor feeding, and delayed growth. It is important for expectant parents and healthcare professionals to understand the causes, risks, and possible consequences of premature birth.
Types Of Premature Birth
A full-term birth is when a baby is born at or after 39 weeks. Babies born at 39 weeks or more are less likely to require additional care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) because their organs are all developed.
If a baby is born between 37 and 39 weeks, it’s called early term, which is different from preterm birth. Preterm births or premature births happen before 37 weeks and are defined depending on how early the baby is born:
- Late preterm: Born between 34 and 36 weeks. Such babies tend to be healthy but can still have issues like feeding or regulating their temperature.
- Moderately preterm: Born between 32 and 34 weeks. These infants might require some assistance with breathing and feeding but tend to recover well.
- Very preterm: Born earlier than 32 weeks. These infants require extensive medical care, particularly with breathing, feeding, and growth.
- Extremely preterm: Born earlier than 25 weeks. These infants are at the greatest risk of severe health complications and require intensive care.
Knowing these kinds of premature births ensures that appropriate care is given to aid the baby’s health and development.
Symptoms Of Premature Birth
It is essential to note the symptoms of preterm labor. Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms, particularly if they persist after an hour or if the pain is severe:
– Four or more contractions (tightening of your uterus) in one hour that don’t subside even after resting or changing positions.
– Ongoing back pain or low, aching pain that doesn’t resolve with position changes or comfort measures.
– Cramping in your lower abdomen, similar to gas pain, with or without diarrhea. Ongoing cramps that are like menstrual cramps.
– More pressure in your pelvic region or vagina.
– More vaginal discharge or discharge that’s mucus-like or slightly pink.
– Leaking fluid from your vagina, which may be amniotic fluid.
– Vaginal bleeding.
– Flu-like symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.
– Reduced fetal movements (if you experience fewer than six movements in an hour).
What Happens To Premature Babies?
Babies who are born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy are premature and vulnerable to a range of health issues since they have not had sufficient time to mature inside the womb. The earlier a baby is born, higher the chances that they will have problems. Babies born between 24 weeks of pregnancy and beyond have the possibility of surviving, but they will require special attention and care from medical practitioners.
These infants are usually taken care of in a neonatal ward, a part of the hospital specifically meant for preterm babies. In the neonatal ward, they can undergo the treatment needed to treat concerns such as breathing troubles, being unable to eat, and stabilizing their temperatures, among many others. Premature infants may also experience health and developmental concerns later in their lives since they were born too early for the development of all their organs to be complete.
If your baby is born prematurely, you need to give birth at a hospital that has a neonatal intensive care unit which will be able to give the special care that a preterm infant requires. Not every hospital has the facilities to manage very premature infants, so you might likely be transferred to another hospital where there are adequate facilities for such care.
Treatment & Management Of Premature Birth
Preterm babies tend to require special attention in an NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). This is a special section of the hospital where babies receive extra assistance. Some babies will require staying in the NICU for weeks or even months.
Preterm babies tend to require assistance with breathing, feeding, weight gain and maintaining their body temperature.
In Conclusion
In summary, premature birth is a serious issue for both babies and parents. Premature babies usually require specialized treatment in an NICU. Awareness of the risks and advance preparations can make a substantial difference in management of complications in preterm infants.
As a parent, you should stay informed and take precautions to safeguard your own health and that of your baby. To that end, preserving your baby’s stem cells with LifeCell’s stem cell banking presents worthwhile prospects for future medical interventions, giving you assurance that you’re safeguarding your baby’s health in the years to come. Early initiative and astute decision-making can guide the path of parenthood, particularly during difficult times such as preterm birth.
