Common causes of prematurity

Parents want to take every step they can to safeguard the health and wellbeing of their children — and precautions include actions taken even before the child is born.

Expecting mothers follow strict prenatal guidelines to protect their physical health as well as the health of the developing fetus. Women can take various steps to help their unborn children make it to full term, but some factors that are beyond their control and may even lead to babies being born prematurely.

A premature birth is one that takes place more than three weeks before the baby’s estimated due date, according to the Mayo Clinic. Premature births occur before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy, which is considered to be full term. Prematurity may be staged as late, moderately, very, or extremely preterm depending on when the baby is born. Most premature births occur in the late preterm stage, which is between 34 and 36 weeks. Babies born at less than 32 weeks of pregnancy or earlier are very or extremely preterm.

Some causes of premature birth cannot be identified. However, certain factors are known to increase the risk of going into labor early. A pregnant woman with any of the following conditions is more likely to give birth prematurely, according to Healthline Parenthood.

• diabetes

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• high blood pressure

In addition, certain factors related to pregnancy also may lead to premature birth, including:

• poor nutrition before and during pregnancy

• smoking, using illegal drugs or drinking alcohol during pregnancy

• infections, such as urinary tract and amniotic membrane infections

• a previous case of premature birth

• an abnormal uterus

• a weakened cervix opening early

It is important that expecting mothers do everything they can to prevent prematurity. Premature babies may face a host of problems that put children’s overall health at risk. These include temperature instability; respiratory problems; cardiovascular issues, such as a heart condition called parent ductus arteriosus; jaundice; bleeding in the brain; and poor muscle tone.

Women can speak with their obstetricians about the steps they can take to increase the likelihood that their babies make it to full term.