Premature Birth.About premature birth. I'm 25 weeks' pregnant. If my baby was born now, would it be OK?
It is hard to believe, but many babies born at 25 weeks survive. Some of the greatest advances in medicine have been in the care of premature babies. However, don't start wishing for delivery now; babies born this early are in the hospital a long time and often have serious problems.
Why is it risky for the baby to be born early?
Premature birth increases the risk of physical and mental impairment in the baby. It also increases the risk of fetal death. How early is too early?
It depends on your particular situation. In many cases, 1 or 2 weeks is not going to make much difference in your baby the baby may be only slightly smaller. However, the earlier the baby is born, the greater the risks.
I've heard that more premature babies are surviving today. Is that true?
Yes, it is. Because of advances in technology, today fewer than 10 deaths per 1,000 are reported in premature births.
HELP PREVENT PREMATURE LABOR
We know that some activities may increase your risk of going into premature labor. Taking the following precautions may help reduce your risk of giving birth too early.
- Sit whenever you can. Standing may cause contractions as the body attempts to restore circulation to the uterine area.
- Don't lift and carry heavy objects. When you lift or carry something heavy, you cause abdominal muscles to tighten, which increases pressure on the uterus.
- Don't smoke. Research shows that women who smoke during pregnancy have a 20 to 50% higher risk of premature labor.
- Don't drink alcohol. Alcohol, even in small amounts, may harm the placenta.
- Gain enough weight. Underweight women who do not gain enough weight have a higher risk of having a baby born too early.
- Get enough rest. Resting, especially on your left side, improves circulation to your body and your baby.
- Don't exercise too strenuously. If you exercise too intensely or for too long, it can draw blood away from the uterus to your muscles.
- Don't stoop, bend or climb stairs when you can avoid it. These activities raise your blood pressure and draw blood away from your uterus. Or they can cause irritability of the uterus, resulting in contractions.
- Limit caffeine intake. You might increase your risk of premature labor if you drink 5 or more cups of coffee a day.
- Keep all prenatal appointments. Routine appointments with your doctor can help identify problems early so they are easier to treat.
Is it true that premature babies have long hospital stays?
The average hospital stay for a premature baby ranges from 50 to more than 100 days.
How are these premature babies affected?
In babies born extremely early, there is an increased rate of physical and mental handicaps, some of them severe. This is the reason your doctor attempts to prolong your pregnancy as long as possible.
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