Premature Birth: Survival and Health Concerns
A preterm, premature or preemie baby is one who is a baby born too early, or about three weeks before the due date. While normal pregnancies last a period of about 40 weeks, preterm birth occurs at 37 weeks or earlier. We understand that preterm births are one of the most challenging experiences for a family, both physically and สมัคร ufabet กับเรา รับโบนัสทันที emotionally and demand a great deal of courage and stability to stand through it. Our heart goes out to all those who have to live through this difficult time and we wish you all the strength in the world.
(Preterm Labour, Premature Labour), (Preterm Birth, Premature Birth) – How similar or different are these terms?
First things first, preterm and premature are literally synonymous, i.e. they mean the same thing and you can use them interchangeably.
Labour is a series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus that help the cervix dilate and thin out for the fetus to move through the birth canal. Labour is further divided into 4 stages where the second stage is the birth of the baby. However, unlike the cases of normal pregnancies (beyond 37 weeks) where early labour is a preparatory sign for the birth of the baby, preterm labour doesn’t always lead to preterm birth. Preterm labour may stop on its own, or with the right and timely treatments.
Once a baby is born there are a number of factors at play that play a significant role in deciding whether the baby will survive and what its life will be like. Let’s take a look at the most prominent ones.
Factors Contributing Towards The Survival Of A Preemie Baby
- Gestational Age
Premature babies are divided into 4 categories on the basis of the age of their viability.
- Late Preterm – Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks.
- Moderately Preterm – Babies born between 32 and 34 weeks.
- Very Preterm – Babies born between 28 to 32 weeks.
- Extremely Preterm – Babies born before 28 weeks
- Birth weight
Birth weight is one of the most important predictors of mortality, correctly predicting mortality in 82.9% of premature birth cases. A Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby i.e. a baby weighing less than 5 ounces right after birth already require some special care and preterm birth further complicates the situation. Since a preterm baby doesn’t get enough time to fully develop inside the mother’s body, being underweight is one of their most common characteristics. Preterm LBW babies are at reduced odds of survival and a higher risk of disabilities and health problems.
- Sex
Premature baby girls have a higher chance of survival than male babies owing to their biological buildups such as genes and hormones. For instance, estrogens strengthen the body’s immune defences and help the body sustain itself in the new environment.
- Race/ Ethnicity
Asian and African premature babies have a better survival rate as compared to their white counterparts
- Preterm Birth History
Singleton preterm births are more likely to be viable than multiples.
The footnote is that medical advances are being made in caring for premature babies which means better outcomes and more peace of mind for parents. While every week in the womb gives us more assurance for a healthy baby, know that chances for your preemie’s survival are increasing every day with medical developments.