Premature Labor and Births
September 16, 2008
Between 5 and 10% of all infants are born more than two weeks before the due date. A number of factors account for these. Some are caused by an error in calculating dates, and some are due to premature inducement of labor or cesarean section.
Infections, long standing illnesses, poor nutrition, and complications for premature births are unexplained. Often mother who has had a good diet, exercised regularly, avoided drugs, and received proper medical care will begin labor early.
Many women experience premature labor contractions because of the nature of the uterus. Considerable progress has been made in managing premature labor so as to prevent premature births. Contact your doctor immediately if labor begins early.
Because labor contractions are extraordinarily fatiguing if they go on for more than a few days, bed rest is usually recommended when they arrive early but lying down for a long time can produce sore and weakening muscles. Some of your strongest support may come from mothers who have had the same experiences.
It is quite common for women experiencing premature labor to be prescribed medicines to reduce contractions. Although many medicines are being used for this purpose, only ritodrine has been approved for premature labor by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A combination of bed rest and ritodrine is often a successful regimen, but many women still deliver prematurely.
Fortunately the chances of a premature infant surviving and developing normally are excellent. Often survival rates are better in centers with considerable experience in premature infant care-be sure your hospital is ready for your baby.
Many premature infants are faced with temporary respiratory problems because of immature lungs (the hyaline membrane disease or respiratory distress syndrome). Other premature infants have problems with infections.
Competent medical care can do much to help problems with infections. Recent study suggest that corticosteroids hormones given to mothers who go into labor before 34 weeks can prevent some respiratory problems in infants.
Parents are often surprised by the appearance of premature infants. They are certainly not as big and cuddly as many parents expect. They appear quite frail and are connected to a variety of monitoring and other devices.
Nevertheless, you are just as important your premature child as to your full-term child. Holding and cuddling the infant are important and are encouraged in many nurseries. Premature infants who have significant human contact grow stronger faster than those who do not.
Alvaro Castillo has been writing health articles for five years. One of his specializations has been on parenting and pregnancy. If you would like to learn more, then visit his website at http://www.myhomeparent.com or visit his blog at http://myhomeparent.blogspot.com to share your opinion.
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