Pre-term labour and premature birth. Are you at risk?

Healthy individuals make a happy and successful society, and one’s health is determined right from birth. Completion of a full term pregnancy between 37 and 42 weeks is key to having a healthy child. Premature birth is when the baby is born before the full term pregnancy, i.e. less than 37 weeks.

According to the report from World Health Organisation (WHO), over 15 million babies are born premature every year world over. It is a major health issue affecting children, and it is highly important to address it.

Premature births can occur due to various factors including multiple pregnancy, infections, maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension, poor maternal health, hygiene, and nutrition, etc. Genetics may play a role as well.

Recent advancements in the field of medicine help us identify the risk of premature birth earlier and provide effective solutions to address many of those risk factors. Diagnosing at the right time is the key to preventing a premature birth. There are treatment methods to prevent premature birth or to delay premature birth as much as possible, in order to give the child more time to develop in the womb.

To understand if you are at the risk of premature birth, speak to your gynecologist today and take appropriate steps.