Premature birth is such a complication of gestation, in which the appearance of a baby occurs long before the deadline. Consider the violation, let's name its causes, types, list the consequences and the basis of preventive measures.
What can provoke premature birth?
Physicians identify several groups of factors, the presence of which provokes an early appearance of the child. Among all the special place is occupied by the following causes of preterm labor:
- presence of abortions, spontaneous abortions in the anamnesis;
- anatomical defects of the uterus;
- istimico-cervical insufficiency;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases of the reproductive system;
- infection of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis);
- somatic diseases: arterial hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system, disruption of the thyroid gland;
- nervous overstrain and stress.
The threat of premature birth
In addition to the above reasons for premature birth of a baby, obstetricians identify and predisposing factors. When they appear, the threat of the baby's appearance before the due date is fixed. The risk of premature birth can be caused by:
- abuse of medicines;
- drinking alcohol;
- excessive increase in the weight of the future mother (weight gain for pregnancy exceeds 12 kg);
- hormonal imbalance;
- excessive physical activity, intensive work;
- placenta previa.
Premature delivery - the timing
About premature birth, doctors say when the baby is born in the interval of 22-37 weeks. Depending on the specific time of appearance, the baby is given:
- very early (22-27 weeks), body weight of crumbs 500-1000 g;
- early (28-33 weeks), the weight of the baby is 1000-2000, the prognosis for such babies is very favorable;
- premature birth, term 34-37 weeks, the body weight of the baby reaches 2500 g.
Preterm birth - from what week does the child survive?
Preterm delivery at week 26 often has a favorable outcome. Immediately at this time, the respiratory system ripens. A special substance is synthesized - a surfactant. It prevents the decline of lung tissue, plays an important role in the first inspiration. Appearance of crumbs earlier specified time requires connection to the device of artificial respiration.
As for the viability of premature babies, the development of medical technologies and equipment helps to care for children weighing from 500 g. But such cases are rare. Because of the strong immaturity of organs and systems, there is a high mortality rate among preterm. The doctors themselves say that the chance to survive has those crumbs whose body weight is more than 1000 g, and they appeared on light 28 weeks and later.
Signs of premature birth
Timeliness of the reference to physicians at beginning labor before the term plays an important role. Because of this, every pregnant woman should know how premature birth begins, the symptoms of which are the following:
- regular contractions;
- departure of the amniotic fluid;
- exit of the mucous plug .
The signs of premature birth at 30 weeks are similar to those that the pregnant woman notes at the time of delivery. Weak pains in the lower abdomen, as in the case of menstruation, which increase over time. The pregnant woman notices the leakage of amniotic fluid. Their volume is small. The emergence of such signs should be the reason for an early appeal to a medical institution.
Premature delivery - complications
If premature birth begins, the pregnant woman is recommended to lie down, take a sedative and call an ambulance. To eliminate spasm and reduce fights, it is recommended that No-Shpa. When placing a woman in a hospital, doctors determine the cause that provoked premature birth of a crumb and attempt to eliminate it. Sometimes it is possible to stop the beginning process of childbirth. Simultaneously, drugs that reduce excitability and uterine contractility are prescribed.
At the same time, therapeutic measures aimed at increasing the viability of the fetus are conducted. Doctors carry out the prevention of a distress syndrome in a newborn - a violation of breathing, because of the immaturity of the respiratory system. When pregnancy can not be maintained, doctors are working on the management of preterm labor.
In this case, anesthesia is mandatory. When the term is less than 34 weeks and the weight of the baby is less than 2000 g, a cesarean section is performed. Concerning complications, it is worth noting that premature manifestation of a baby is always characterized by rapidity. Because of this, the risk of developing such violations increases, such as:
- birth trauma;
- ruptures of the perineum and muscles of the vagina
- non-coordinated labor activity - violation of the order of contractions (reductions are severely painful, there is no complete relaxation of muscle fibers in the gaps).
- infection of the reproductive system - marked development of endometritis, suppuration of stitches from episiotomy.
Preterm birth - consequences
After a premature birth, doctors pay a lot of attention to the condition of the newborn. The child is placed in a kuvez, where conditions close to those in the womb of the mother are created. Among the controlled parameters indicating positive dynamics, the central position is taken by weight. Nurses daily weighing, observing the dynamics of mass.
Preventing premature birth
Calling the signs of the threat of premature birth, it is worth noting that their appearance is a direct indication for hospitalization of a pregnant woman. A woman is being monitored, drugs are prescribed. The emerging signs of preterm labor at week 28 indicate the upcoming appearance of the baby. That this did not happen, carry out preventive measures:
- elimination of infections of the genital tract at the stage of pregnancy planning;
- early registration in the antenatal clinic at the onset of gestation;
- timely analyzes.