Did you know babies born before 37 weeks, also known as preterm birth, can have health problems that may last their entire life? It may cause health issues in infants, such as respiratory, neurological, feeding and growth complications. Hence, it is important to have a healthy full-term pregnancy, which is usually over 40 weeks for your child’s health. We spoke to Dr Rahul Verma, Director, Neonatology, General Paediatrics, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, who listed strategies that can help in preventing preterm birth.
Preterm or premature birth, which is defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, continues to be a significant global health issue. It is associated with numerous adverse outcomes for both the infant and mother. According to a 2016 study, it is estimated that around 15 million infants are born prematurely, leading to various complications.
Dr Verma added, “Despite advancements in medical science, preventing preterm birth remains a challenge. However, scientific research has identified several strategies that can effectively reduce the incidence of preterm births.” Let us explore some of these scientifically-based approaches for preventing preterm pregnancies.
Tips To Prevent Preterm Birth
Preconception Care
To prevent preterm birth, it's important to provide preconception care, which focuses on improving a woman's health before she becomes pregnant. Dr Verma said, “Certain maternal factors significantly contribute to the risk of preterm birth, including obesity, smoking, substance abuse, and chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension.”
The risk of preterm birth can be significantly reduced by addressing these factors through preconception care, which may involve lifestyle changes, nutritional interventions, and managing medical conditions,
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is a crucial strategy for ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Regular visits to healthcare providers during pregnancy help closely monitor its progress and identify any potential risk factors or complications early on.
Prenatal care also offers opportunities to educate expectant mothers about maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, and avoiding harmful substances like tobacco and alcohol. Additionally, it allows for the early detection and management of conditions, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, which, if left untreated, can increase the risk of preterm birth.
Specific Interventions
Interventions aimed at reducing specific risk factors associated with preterm birth have shown promise in preventing preterm pregnancies. “For example, cervical cerclage, a procedure in which a stitch is placed around the cervix to provide structural support, is commonly used to prevent preterm birth in women with a history of cervical insufficiency. Similarly, progesterone supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a history of preterm delivery or a short cervix”, highlighted Dr Verma.
According to Frontiers in Immunology, administering progesterone treatment could potentially prevent preterm birth in women diagnosed with a short cervix during mid-pregnancy ultrasound examinations. Furthermore, this treatment demonstrates significant reductions in the risk of complications for newborns, including respiratory distress syndrome, the necessity for mechanical ventilation, admission to neonatal intensive care, and composite morbidity and mortality.
Minimising Iatrogenic Preterm Births
“It's important to work on preventing preterm births that happen because of medical interventions, like inducing labour or doing a caesarean delivery without a real medical need”, said Dr Verma. Healthcare providers should follow guidelines based on evidence to make sure they only do interventions like inducing labour or caesarean deliveries when necessary, to avoid preterm births that are not needed.
Bottomline
Dr Verma concluded, “To prevent preterm birth, we need a comprehensive approach that focuses on maternal health before conception, offers thorough prenatal care, addresses specific risk factors, and minimises iatrogenic preterm births. By using evidence-based strategies, healthcare providers can effectively lower the rate of preterm births and enhance outcomes for both mothers and infants.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only, Hence, we advise you to consult your gynaecologist if you notice any issues during your pregnancy.]