Preterm birth: causes and symptoms

Like any expectant mother, you want the pregnancy and birth went without a hitch, without a hitch. You will comply strictly with all the doctor's recommendations on nutrition and overall health to pregnancy was as light as possible and without complications. Do you feel a surge of strength, confidence and joy when a gynecologist tells you that the fetus is developing normally, and you're an excellent job with the mission entrusted to you by nature.

However, no woman is safe from unpredictable complications of pregnancy - preterm delivery, the majority of this nightmare future mothers. Even doctors find it difficult to predict the probability of premature birth, because women with normal pregnancy are at less risk of preterm birth than women who have had a typical risk factors. Hopefully this article will help you reduce the likelihood of premature birth.

The normal length of pregnancy is on average 40 weeks or 280 days. Pregnancy accepted conditionally divided into three stages called trimesters. A normal pregnancy ends with the birth of the child 38 - 42 weeks. At this stage of fetal organ development and formed the respiratory system. If early termination of pregnancy (before 37 weeks) occurs preterm birth. Premature birth can happen for a few weeks or even months ahead of schedule.

The standard method for calculating the expected date of childbirth - adding 280 days to the first day of the last menstrual period. Another method is suitable for those who know when ovulation has occurred and conception. Add to the date of conception Conception - as the emerging life   266 days - to get the expected date of birth. Approximately 12% of children (one in eight) in the US are born prematurely. Premature babies more likely congenital malformations have a weak immune system and can result in severe illness.

Causes of premature birth

Premature birth can result in any, even the easiest pregnancy. The probability of premature birth increased in the following cases:

• if a pregnant woman under 17 or over 35 years old
• if a woman bears twins or triplets
• if a woman has had more than three abortions
• If a woman in the past could not endure pregnancy
• If a woman has a pathology of the uterus or cervix
• if a woman gained during pregnancy underweight

Lifestyle and bad habits are also to a large extent increase the likelihood of premature birth. These risk factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, drug addiction (cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc.), some of the drugs that women take during pregnancy unless recommended by a doctor, domestic violence, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, and severe stress anxiety, physical activities at home and at work.

The probability of premature birth is also higher in women suffering from certain diseases that developed during pregnancy or earlier. There are risk factors by the mother, the fetus and both.

The separation of the placenta, placental abruption Placental abruption - why is it so dangerous to a woman's life?   (placenta, "peeled" from the inner surface of the uterus and develops bleeding uterus responds to this reduction - begins labors).

• Rupture of membranes
• A weak cervix
• Intrauterine infection of the fetus (some infectious agents may trigger preterm labor at various stages of pregnancy). This happens when a woman is sick or is a carrier of latent infection (infection of the reproductive system, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections)
• Hypertension, diabetes or obesity mother
• Vaginal bleeding after 20 weeks of pregnancy
• Small interval between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months)
• Excess amniotic fluid
• Surgeries in the abdominal cavity during pregnancy
• Congenital abnormalities of the fetus

Signs of preterm labor

Hygiene of pregnancy, the daily intake of folic acid and miltivitaminov after determining pregnancy, rejection of alcohol and tobacco - that the precautions to be observed every pregnant woman. In addition, future moms also need to listen to your body and consult a doctor immediately if you observe any of the following signs of preterm labor:

• Fights: reduction and hardening of the uterus every ten minutes or less for one hour.
• Rupture of membranes: the waste water from the vagina indicating rupture of membranes.
• Cramps: persistent or recurrent spasms in the abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps, diarrhea accompanied or emission of gases.
• Low back pain: a constant or intermittent pain below the waist.
• Pressure on the bladder: pressure on the bladder creates a pregnant woman feeling that "the baby is about to pop out."
• Vaginal discharge: unusual sudden release of fluid from the vagina, including bleeding.
• The reduction of fetal movement: the child is pushed less than usual.

Related Articles

Epidural anesthesia - pain relief

Anesthesia delivery - possible methods

Caesarean section: do not rush to go under the knife

Placental abruption - why is it so dangerous to a woman's life?