Premature Labor

Premature labor is a pregnancy risk factor as it leads to a baby with prematurity. A premature baby has a higher infant mortality rate due to a multitude of complications.

The main complications are hypoglycemia, the risk for infection is increased and there is also an increased risk for hemolyic anemias and newborn jaundice. A variety of conditions can lead to premature labor such as a fever, multiple pregnancies, uterine abnormality, an incompetent cervix that opens up too early, just to name a view.

Smoking of a pregnant woman will often also lead to premature labor. (Ref. 20, p.2036). When premature labor occurs, immediate hospitalization is necessary and an attempt will be made to stop the labor. If this is unsuccessful, or if there is pregnancy water break (premature rupture of the membrane) , the baby will be born prematurely.

Most premature infants born after 28 weeks survive with specialized care in a premature nursery, but there are a number of high risks and possible complications. It follows from this that prevention of premature labor is a highly effective method of preventing a lot of fetal and early infant mortality. The methods are simple enough: no smoking, no recreational drugs, avoid fever and have this treated immediately by the treating physician. Have a balanced nutrition with regular meals, pregnancy is no time for crash diets. Diabetes treatment needs to be followed vigorously with close supervision by a physician and dietition. All of this is common sense and relatively easy to follow.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

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Last Modified: Jan. 19, 2008