PREMATURE BABY

Premature births account for about 5 or 6 of every 100 births. A premature baby is born before it is physically ready to leave the womb. Most babies born after at least 26 weeks of pregnancy have a good chance of living. Babies born too soon have not had time to completely develop their body systems. They have a low birth weight of 5 pounds or less. The average full-term baby weighs around 7 pounds at birth.

Premature babies often have medical complications. A baby born more than 2 months early is likely to have serious problems. The lungs may be under-developed. Other medical problems include no protective layer of fat, low body temperature, and low blood sugar levels. Jaundice and folic acid deficiency may also occur.

Premature babies often require intensive care. They are placed in incubators that regulate their body temperature. Body functions are monitored and a feeding tube provides liquid nutrition. Parents are encouraged to spend as much time as possible in the intensive care unit so bonding between the parents and baby can occur.

Premature labor results from many factors including:

anemia or malnutrition in the mother, or having little or no prenatal care
a history of infertility, stillbirths, abortions, or other premature births
smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol
pregnancy in the teen years, or when older than age 35
pregnancy with twins or triplets
conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, toxemia, genetic disorders, or gynecological problems
falling and sustaining internal injuries while pregnant
working in physically or mentally stressful jobs
standing for more than 6 hours at a time
repeated stooping or bending below knee level after the twentieth week of pregnancy or
climbing stairs more than once every 2 hours after the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy

Many premature births can be prevented. Keep all appointments for routine prenatal care. Follow your healthcare provider's orders. Be sure to get plenty of rest. Report any unusual symptoms, especially bleeding or leakage of fluids or symptoms of labor, immediately.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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