Pre-term labour: Causes and Risks

If you start to have regular contractions that cause the cervix to begin to dilate or thin out before 37 weeks, you’re in pre-term labour.

The greatest worry is that a baby born before this time may not be sufficiently developed to survive outside the womb.

The British Medical Association says that 50% of premature deliveries occur for no known reason. Other causes for early labour include;

Pre-eclampsia
Hypertension
Diabetes
Existing kidney disease
Heart disease
Infections
Multiple babies

The major complication for the baby is respiratory distress syndrome, where the lungs are not yet properly developed. Extra care should also be taken over the baby’s immunity, and his or her ability to suck.

Depending on the circumstances, pre-term delivery can sometimes be averted once labour has begun. Certain medications can be used to prevent contractions and relax the womb, helping to delay birth.

While it can be frightening to go into early labour, modern medicine ensures babies have the best chances of survival, even as early as 24 weeks’ gestation. Many premature babies catch up with their full-term playmates, in terms of development, within the first year or two.

For more information, visit www.discovery.co.za as well as the Discovery YouTube channel, DiscoverySA.