Preterm birth prevention : Factors - Prevention

An estimated 15 million infants are born preterm each year. This means that 1 in 4 babies are born prematurely. Prematurity is one of the reasons why prematurity is a term that primarily concerns the newborn. A baby is considered premature if it did not remain in the mother’s womb long enough to develop sufficiently to cope with the difficulties of life outside the womb. Most of these babies usually have respiratory and cardiac problems and are at increased risk of infections. That’s why they are immediately supported in the neonatal intensive care unit. Today, 90% of these premature babies develop normally, without any particular health issues.

When is a birth considered preterm?

Any birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation is defined as preterm. The earlier a baby is born, the more immature its body and immune system are to cope with the real world outside the womb.

Between the 32nd and 37th week, a newborn is considered moderate or late preterm.
From the 28th to the 32nd week, it is considered very preterm.
Before the 28th week, it is considered extremely preterm.

Factors for preterm birth

A woman is at higher risk for preterm labor and delivery when some of the below conditions exist:

Short time period between pregnancies (less than six months)
History of the woman’s previous premature delivery
Her age (if she is younger than 17 and older than 37)
Obesity and insufficient weight gained during pregnancy
Substance abuse (smoking and alcohol, drug use)
Multiple pregnancy
Gestational diabetes and hypertension
Urinary tract infection
Sexually transmitted infections