Local News
Born before it's time
CHRISTY SWIFT
Published: January 5, 2013
A pregnancy lasts an average of 40 weeks, but one in eight pregnancies in the U.S. will result in a premature baby.Published: January 5, 2013
Prematurity is defined as less than 37 completed weeks of gestation, explained board-certified OB/GYN Guinevere Bullard, with the Women's Wellness Center in Sebring. Preemies may have a chance of survival from 25 weeks on, but these tiny survivors can have lifelong problems with their lungs, vision and more.
"Anything we can do from a medical standpoint to keep those babies inside affects the rest of their lives and what they can achieve," said Bullard.
But the causes of preterm labor are still very much a mystery. Infection and inflammation in the mother may play a role, but without understanding exactly what the trigger is, many premature births cannot be prevented.
Yet, some causes have been pinpointed, and organizations like the World Health Organization and the March of Dimes are encouraging the medical community to get on board.
An international coalition recently completed an analysis of preterm babies in developed countries. The United States' rate of one in eight premature babies was higher than the overall average of one in 10. Bullard could only speculate on the reason: "It may be overall health and diet. Some may be access to care," she said, adding that high-risk women who receive early prenatal care have a better chance of carrying to term.
The coalition made several recommendations that can help bring prematurity rates down:
"But the data shows even at 38 weeks babies can have problems breathing, problems with feeding and prolonged NICU stays," Bullard said.
She added that many of her savvier patients come in asking not to be induced, to be able to go into labor on their own timetable. "I think that's great," she said.
"You have a baby that decides this environment is not working for me. (It's as if the baby is saying) 'My placenta is older, and I'm not oxygenating well. I'm coming out no matter how old I am,'" said Bullard.
Bullard tells her patients if they can quit before 20 weeks, their risk goes down to that of a non-smoker. That's a powerful incentive, she said.