Pregnancy is a complicated time for many families. For pregnant mothers, it can be a period of unexpected joy and anticipation when a woman or family receives special support from their friends and communities. Just as often, it is a time of instability, illness, or anxiety. Premature birth affects one in ten pregnancies, or over 400,000 babies in the United States each year.
When a baby is born prematurely, it misses its final stages of development inside the womb. The last three weeks of gestation are essential for a baby’s healthy development, from its vital organs to its cognitive function. Plus, prematurity is the number one cause of infant mortality.
Preterm birth can have several causes; in many instances, the direct cause is unclear. However, medical experts have identified certain risk factors that contribute to prematurity. For example, if a woman has a history of one or more preterm deliveries, she is more likely to give birth prematurely. Giving birth at a very young or advanced age can also increase a woman’s risk of premature birth. Pregnancies with twins, triplets, or other multiples can increase a mother’s risk of early delivery, as can pregnancies that occur in quick succession. Pregnant women who suffer from frequent urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, or diabetes may be at an increased risk of early delivery. All too often, circumstantial factors like race, poverty, lack of access to quality health care, unemployment, and a lack of information can also put a woman at risk.
When a premature baby receives effective care and has access to intensive neonatal support, it is possible to save its life. However, babies born prematurely are more likely to incur health issues during their infancy or later in life. A premature baby may experience delays in physical development – organs such as eyes, lungs, brains, and more are vulnerable. They are also at an increased risk of learning disabilities and might experience difficulty communicating, adapting, or socializing. There are several developmental disabilities that parents of premature babies should be on the lookout for throughout their child’s early development:
- Cerebral palsy, is a condition that affects a child’s brain, particularly in areas that control movement and muscular control. Children with cerebral palsy struggle to sit or stand up straight, balance, or coordinate their movements.
- Behavioral issues like ADHD are commonly seen among children who were born prematurely. Children with ADHD struggle to focus, pay attention, or control their behavior.
- Premature babies are more likely to experience mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. This means they are prone to feelings of sadness, lack of inspiration, fear, or difficulty trusting other people.
- Lung problems frequently affect prematurely born babies. Keep an eye out for asthma symptoms or breathing problems when a child is exercising or moving vigorously. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD, is a lung disease that causes scarring and swelling in a child’s lungs, is another illness to watch out for. BPD puts children at high risk for pneumonia or other lung damage.
- Premature babies often face dental problems, such as poorly formed teeth, discolored teeth, or crooked teeth.
- Retinopathy is an eye disease that is known to affect premature babies in one or both of their eyes since their eyes and retinal tissue were unable to develop properly before birth.
Situations can be complex and dire for premature babies, and prematurity is an issue everyone should be aware of – even pregnant women who do everything “right” and do not qualify for any of the risk factors might experience premature delivery. However, there are many steps families can take to work toward preventing premature births. First, they should avoid unwanted pregnancies and aim to plan pregnancies with a healthy amount of time between deliveries. Experts recommend that families space out their births, and wait 12-18 months after delivery before trying to get pregnant again. Women between 18-44 years of age who are trying to get pregnant or who are capable of getting pregnant should seek regular gynecological care to treat any pre-existing conditions and discuss the risks of smoking, substance use, and alcohol use. The CDC discourages inducing or planning for deliveries before 39 weeks.
Pregnant families call on their communities for support, knowledge, and practical advice. This National Prematurity Awareness Month, join Maryvale in sharing the knowledge that prematurity is common and often preventable.
