Signs you might be having a premature baby
“A life may last just for a moment, but memory can make that moment last forever.”
– Author Unknown
A premmie is a baby born earlier than at the 37-week mark of a pregnancy.
We know the chances of survival decreases the earlier the birth occurs, and that babies born before 26 weeks are the most at risk of health problems.
Babies that survive birth are sometimes subject to complications as their organs are often too small to function independently outside the womb.
Lung-related disorders are the most common in premmies, because they are the last organ to develop. Other complications due to lack of oxygen to the brain are also common: including cerebral palsy, blindness and brain damage.
An important thing to remember is that science, medicine and technology have come a long way in recent years, and doctors are now able to save premmie babies more often.
Babies that weigh less than one kilogram were once classified as critical – and the survival rates were not high. However, we are lucky because these medical advancements now help babies that weigh much less!
If you’ve given birth to a premmie, you might be feeling alone.
Yet together, women across Australia give birth to many premature babies – with over eight per cent being born prematurely every year.
Recently, there has also been a rise in late-term premature pregnancies. The Murdoch Childrens Institutesays that 70 per cent of all premature babies born each year are being born at between 34-36 weeks.
That’s 16,000 premmies being born prematurely at 34-36 weeks each year.
This rise is thought to be because of a general rise in maternal age, among other factors.
Many women are unaware they are due to give birth prematurely, it is not something you can simply predict.
Premature birth is a challenge, so it’s no wonder families who have experienced it tend to be affected for a long time.
Self-blame certainly isn’t helpful and research has shown time and time again, that despite the mix of feelings there is almost always nothing we could have done to ensure the birth had turned out differently.
Are there ways to tell if you are carrying a premature baby? It’s unfortunately not as simple as detecting a few symptoms, adding them together and concluding that your child will be entering the world early.
If this is not your first child, and if any of your previous children have been premature, then the chances of you having another premmie are increased. Aside from already having experienced a preterm birth, there is no definitive way to screen and identify women who are at risk.
We wish there was one factor that would indicate a baby will be born premature; that way we could have time to prepare emotionally and mentally for the unique journey ahead.
Of course it is not that simple: there are numerous factors that contribute.
A timeline of prenatal development. Image source: Häggström, Mikael. “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014”. Wikiversity Journal of Medicine 1 (2)
Factors that contribute to premature birth
Infection
Infection is one of the most common factors that contribute to premature birth. The most serious type of infection is intrauterine infection, or ‘infection within the womb’.
Some studies have even suggested that intrauterine infection is responsible for about 40 per cent of premature births. Determining this as the sole cause is not that simple, because most infections are complicated by several other factors.
These intrauterine infections occur when microorganisms find their way to parts of the body where they shouldn’t be – through the vagina and cervix, and also through the placenta and fallopian tubes.
If the infection eventually reaches the womb, it can result in the fetal membranes being inflamed and infected. When this happens it is called chorioamnionitis.
Thankfully there are symptoms related to this disease, including: high temperature, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, fast pulse rate and pain in the abdomen.
If you experience any of these symptoms, doctors can test and treat you for the in-womb infection, hopefully preventing the chance of a preterm birth.
Urinary tract infections can also have ramifications, so treating them immediately is a necessity. Keep in mind that not all infections have symptoms!
If in doubt or concerned for any reason, visit your GP.
Handy tip for minimising risk of infection:
Pay attention to hygiene: always wash your hands after handling items, going to the toilet, playing with pets etc.
Personal Experience
Baby Will was born to parents Emma and Ben, after Emma was induced early due to growth lag. Will was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis within 21 hours of birth – a rare occurrence.
Mum Emma explains how grateful she was during her baby’s time in hospital.
“He was the only baby in the special care nursery so he had lots of attention and the nurses grew really attached to him,” said Emma.
“Will was exceptionally strong under the circumstances, it seemed that each procedure was more distressing for me than it was for him.”
Will is now a healthy baby who loves cuddling with his brother Lachlan.
To read his full story click here.
Other factors that contribute to premature birth
To highlight the uncertainty surrounding the prediction of premature birth, here are some factors that could also add to your risk:
If this is your first baby.
If you are expecting multiple babies (twins, triplets, etc.).
If you’ve experienced cervical trauma (e.g. abnormal pap smear results).
If you’ve previously injured your stomach.
If you are under 17, or over 35.
If you have high blood pressure.
If you smoke.
If you have diabetes.
If you have a severe illness.
If you have cervical insufficiency or incompetence.
If you have had Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM) before.
This unfortunately includes a rather larger chunk of us – especially considering the age statistics only indicate that women between the ages of 17 to 35 are less likely to have a premmie baby!
Personal Experience
Sarah gave birth to Oscar at 27 weeks and for her and her partner, premature birth was a complete surprise.
“The night before he came I felt him drop and said to my partner jokingly ‘feels like Oscar will come tomorrow’. His reply was ‘don’t be silly I’ve got TAFE all week’. The next morning when I awoke I was completely dilated and had to jump in an ambulance with my two year-old (born at 34.5 weeks) and get straight to hospital.”
Sarah now loves watching her son grow and change every day.
To read full story click here.
Premature babies usually display physical signs that their gestation was cut short, these include:
Being small in size, with a disproportionately large head.
Having sharper-looking features (when compared to a full-term baby).
Having fine hair, which covers most of the body.
Having low body temperature, especially immediately after birth (because of lack of stored body fat).
Experiencing labored breathing or respiratory distress.
Having a lack of reflexes for sucking and swallowing, which can lead to feeding difficulties.
According to studies conducted by UK premature birth and miscarriage research funding group Tommy’s,there are some strategies that exist that can help predict if you are susceptible to having a premmie.
Testing for amounts of Fetal Fibronectin (a protein produced by fetal cells), is a relatively reliable way to detect the chances of premature birth. Low progesterone levels in saliva have also been suggested as an indicator of preterm birth.
Research is also being conducted to figure out if taking progesterone supplements aids in reducing the likelihood of premature birth.
Is there a definitive way to know?
The only definitive way to know if your baby will be born prematurely is if you have one of the following conditions: pre-eclampsia and/or HELLP Syndrome.
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks. It eventuates from a combination of high blood pressure and having protein in your urine.
Usually we can’t pick this up by ourselves, so again, regular trips to the doctor (usually during pregnancy check-ups) are essential for both mum and bub’s health.
This condition can also affect other internal organs and can cause blood clotting. It is essential to treat pre-eclampsia as soon as possible. If left undetected it can lead to eclampsia – which can lead to fits, convulsions, and if left unattended, further life-threatening complications.
Keep in mind though that statistics suggest that only every two to eight women out of 100 will be affected by pre-eclampsia.
HELLP Syndrome is a severe form of pre-eclampsia, and it can be as bad as having eclampsia. It usually occurs after 20 weeks or after the baby is born, but in some rare cases it can also appear before 20 weeks.
The acronym HELLP does not stand for a longer name, instead, it stands for its defining characteristics. Hemolysis: breaking down of red blood cells, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count.
Symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, upper abdomen pain, feeling ill or discomfort, and swelling of the body. Unfortunately the only way to treat the condition is to deliver the baby as soon as possible.
Personal Experience
Earlybirds baby garments are perfectly suited to the needs of a premature baby.
Tania gave birth to her daughter Tess at 28 weeks through emergency C-section – as a result of her HELLP Syndrome. Tess weighed at just over one kilogram when she was born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Tania reflects on her time in the hospital: “Looking back I remember the faces and the extreme kindness of the nurses. Now time has passed I have forgotten their names but their touch and words echo in my world today.”
Tess is now a curious toddler, and mum Tania now says she’s quite the handful!
Read her full story here.
Sometimes doctors can suggest treatment to try and delay the birth, so your baby has a little bit more time to develop.
However this is not always possible in every case because there are instances where early delivery is the safest option. This is true especially for mothers with infection or pre-eclampsia.
Another premature birth risk to watch for is if your waters break early (also known as Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes or PPROM). Most people are unaware that the ‘waters’ actually encircle the baby and are critical to their development.
Only two per cent of pregnancies involve the early breaking of waters, but if it does happen the chances of early labour are increased.
Usually survival rates are determined by the stage of the pregnancy: at 30 weeks or more, there is a 95 per cent survival rate. If under 24 weeks, survival rates decrease.
Personal Experience
Brooke gave birth to her son Mac, after a premature rupture of the membranes saw him delivered at 29 weeks.
She explains the stressful and surreal time that saw her son stay in hospital for a further seven weeks. A time where the help of her husband and the staff at the hospital were invaluable.
“The nursing staff at the Mercy in Heidelberg are amazing. Premmies arrive into this world struggling to survive, they are hooked up to machines, they stop breathing and as a mother you hope that it will never be their last,” said Brooke.
Mac is now a curios, determined, strong and kind four-year-old, who is getting to be quite tall!
See full story here.
The journey of premature birth doesn’t come without its difficult moments, but the unique journey you embark on will undoubtedly make you and your family stronger.
And to those mothers who have loved and lost their children, please know that the moments you spent with your babies are irreplaceable and that they love you, even for the short time they were with you.
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” – Dr Seuss
References:
Tommy’s: premature birth and miscarriage research fund UK. Visit www.tommys.org
AAPEC (Australian Action on Pre Eclampsia) AUS – Visit www.appec.org.au
Better Health Channel AUS. Visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute AUS. Visit www.mcri.edu.au
Want some further info raising a premmie baby? Head to Mom Loves Best for their ultimate guide.