Pregnancy is a complicated time for many women. It can be a period of unexpected joy and anticipation when a woman or family receives unprecedented support from their friends and communities. Just as often, it is a time of instability, illness, or anxiety. Preterm birth affects one in ten pregnancies, or over 400,000 babies in the United States each year.
When a baby is born prematurely, the final stages of development inside the womb are missed. The last three weeks of gestation are essential for a baby’s development. Plus, prematurity is the number one cause of infant mortality. There could be any number of reasons why a baby is born early – and in many instances, the underlying cause is unclear. However, some known risk factors can 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 women’s risk of premature birth.
Similarly, pregnancies with twins, triplets, or other multiples can increase a mother’s risk of premature delivery. Pregnancies that occur in quick succession also increase the risk of prematurity. Lastly, 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 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 neonatal intensive care, it is certainly possible to save the infant’s life. However, babies born prematurely are more likely to incur health issues during their infancy or later on 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 a number of developmental disabilities that parents of premature babies should be on the lookout for throughout their child’s early development:
- Cerebral palsy describes various conditions that affect 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. Kids with ADHD struggle to focus, pay attention, or control how they act in classrooms and other social environments.
- 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 kids 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. This concept is called birth spacing, and experts recommend that women 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 in any way capable of getting pregnant should seek regular gynecological care to treat any pre-existing conditions and to discuss the risks of smoking, substance use, and alcohol use. The CDC discourages inducing or planning for deliveries before 39 weeks. Lastly, in instances of in vitro fertilization, it is best to transfer a single embryo to prevent multiple births when possible.
Pregnant families call on their communities for support, knowledge, and practical advice. This National Prematurity Awareness Month, share the knowledge that prematurity is common and preventable.
If you or someone you know has dealt with a premature delivery, chances are, you are in need of guidance and mental health assistance. At Maryvale, we take a family’s whole experience into account. We are here to help support infants and children with developmental complications through our Early Childhood Education program and can help with comprehensive mental health services for children and their families.
