The main causes that can lead to premature birth, which occurs when the baby is born with less than 37 weeks of gestation, are related to events and diseases that endanger the mother's life.
Women who are most at risk of having a childbirth before the expected date are a history of previous preterm birth, twin pregnancy and blood loss through the vagina in the third trimester of pregnancy. In addition, when the woman is over 35 or under 16, she is more likely to give birth prematurely, requiring medical follow-up every 2 weeks.
Some of the maternal causes of premature birth are:
- Premature rupture of the amniotic sac; Incompetence of the uterine cervix; Uterine infection; Placental detachment; Pre-eclampsia; Anemia; Diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, kidney infection; Pregnancy of twins or more babies; In vitro fertilization; Fetal malformation; Intense physical exertion; Use of illicit drugs and alcoholic beverages; Uterine fibroids; Anterior cesarean section; Bacterial vaginosis; Presence of group B streptococci.
Vaginal infections increase the risk of premature birth due to the presence of toxins that can promote the release of cytokines and prostaglandins that trigger labor.
It is important to remember that the consumption of flaxseed oil during pregnancy also increases the chances of premature birth, and therefore its consumption is contraindicated at this stage.
What to do if you think you're in labor
If the woman suspects that she is in labor and has not yet completed 37 weeks of gestation, she should call her obstetrician and go to the hospital as soon as possible so that he can examine and decide what to do. Some signs that may indicate a premature birth are uterine contractions, pain or discomfort in the belly or bottom of the back and vaginal discharge.
Find out how the diagnosis of premature birth is made
To make sure that there is a risk of premature birth and to decide what to do in this case, the doctor will be able to assess the measurement of the uterine cervix using transvaginal ultrasound and the presence of fetal fibronectin can be seen in the vaginal secretion.
The measurement above 30 mm in the cervix indicates a greater risk of delivery within 7 days and women who present this value should be evaluated for fibronectin. If the woman has measurements between 16 and 30 mm but negative fetal fibronectin has a low risk of delivery, however, when fetal fibronectin is positive, there is a risk of delivery within 48 hours.
Find out what the doctor can do to prevent premature birth and what are the consequences for the baby who is born prematurely by clicking here.
