Pregnancy is a life-changing stage in a woman’s lifespan. But, it is also a period that needs close attention to the baby’s and the mother’s well-being. Prenatal care plays an essential part in lessening difficulties, ensuring a healthy pregnancy, and preventing premature birth.
But how early should prenatal care begin to make a real difference? Understanding the importance, timing, and types of prenatal care can help expectant mothers take the right steps toward a safe delivery and a healthy baby.
What Is a Premature Birth?
A premature birth is when the baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. A full-term pregnancy might last more than 40 weeks and allows the fetus to develop completely inside the mother’s womb.
When a baby is born early, her/his organs, especially the brain and lungs, might not be completely grown. This may result in different long-term and short-term health complications, like low birth weight, breathing challenges, developmental delays, and feeding issues. If you need professional medical guidance, then premature birth treatment in Coimbatore offers neonatal, maternal, and prenatal care.
Premature births are divided into 3 important stages according to gestational age:
- Late Preterm: Thirty-four to thirty-six weeks of gestation.
- Very Preterm: Twenty-eight to thirty-three weeks of gestation.
- Extremely Preterm: Lower than twenty-eight weeks of gestation.
What Should You Know About Prenatal Care And Its Types?
Prenatal care means the regular medical screenings, check-ups, and guidance that pregnant women get from medical experts. These medical appointments help in identifying possible issues at the early stage, observing fetal as well as maternal health, and help with both medical and lifestyle interventions if needed.
It is essential to understand the relationship between pregnancy and prenatal care, as offering the right medical care at all stages safeguards the health of the mother as well as the baby.
-
Early Prenatal Care
Prenatal care must begin at the moment when a woman knows that she is with a child, usually in the initial six to eight weeks. Visiting the doctors early to ensure pregnancy, calculate the delivery date, and conduct pivotal examinations like urine tests, blood work, and ultrasounds. Additionally, early prenatal care helps in detecting health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid issues that might elevate the chance of premature delivery.
-
Routine Or Ongoing Prenatal Visits
Once the pregnancy is confirmed, routine prenatal checkups will be scheduled at least once every month until you reach the 28th week. And then you have to visit for the checkups every two weeks until you reach the 36th week, and after that, weekly. At the time of these visits, medical professionals observe the level of blood pressure, the amount of weight gained, the baby’s heartbeat, and overall health.
-
Specialized Or High-Risk Prenatal Care
If the pregnant woman has conditions including a history of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and multiple pregnancies, especially with twins or more, specialized attention will be needed. These can be high-risk pregnancies that need additional examinations, closer observation, and hospitalization to ensure the safety of the child and the mother.
What Are The Important Symptoms Of Premature Birth?
Identifying the symptoms of premature labor at the early stage can help you seek medical attention at the right time.
- Chronic pelvic pressure or lower back pain.
- Tightening feeling in the abdomen and regular contractions every ten minutes or more consistently.
- A sudden change or increase in vaginal discharge.
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
- Stomach pain or period-like, mild discomfort.
- Vaginal leakage.
If any of the symptoms happen before the 37th week, it is vital to consult with a healthcare provider promptly. Immediate consultation with the best neonatologist in Coimbatore helps ensure timely prenatal care and supervision. It is critical to note that timely treatment, like medication, bed rest, and hospitalization, can delay delivery and enable more time for the fetus to grow.
What Are The Causes Of Premature Birth?
Premature delivery may occur due to various lifestyle, medical, and environmental aspects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 13 million babies have been affected due to preterm birth in the last decade. Now, let’s see some common causes of premature birth:
1) Maternal Health Problems: Disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and thyroid conditions.
2) Multiple Deliveries: Carrying either twins or triplets boosts pressure in the uterus and can promote premature birth.
3) Uterine or Cervical Issues: Structural problems might lead to uterine contraction early.
4) Infections: Vaginal infections and urinary tract infections may result in infection, raising the chance of early delivery.
5) Lifestyle Factors: Alcohol use, smoking, poor nutrition, and drug use at the time of pregnancy.
6) Stress: Physical strain and persistent stress may also cause premature births.
7) Previous Premature Birth: Women who have had a premature birth before are at a higher risk of a subsequent pregnancy.
Therefore, understanding the reasons for premature birth prevents any complications in the future for both the mother and the baby.
Can You Prevent Premature Birth?
Not every premature birth can be prevented; a few preventive measures can significantly decrease the risk.
1) Start Prenatal Care Early: The faster you start, the better the chance of detecting and managing potential difficulties.
2) Maintain A Balanced Diet: Add folic acid, iron, protein-rich foods, and calcium to support the development of the baby.
3) Avoid Harmful Substances: Avoid drinking alcohol, quitting smoking, and using any recreational drugs.
4) Manage Persistent Conditions: Manage conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, under proper medical guidance.
5) Stay Active and Hydrated: Light physical activities and enough water consumption can enhance uterine wellness and blood flow.
6) Mitigate Stress Levels: Engage in relaxation techniques like meditation and prenatal yoga to reduce stress during pregnancy.
7) Get Sufficient Rest: Enough rest supports overall well-being and hormonal balance.
8) Report Abnormal Signs At The Early Stage: Do not avoid unusual symptoms like cramps, bleeding, and abnormal discharge.
How Should I Avoid Preterm Labor At The Time Of Pregnancy?
Always look for any health disorders, such as depression, diabetes, and hypertension. Limit or avoid any unnecessary drug intake, smoking, and drinking. Ensure to intake a diet that has a variety of healthy foods. It is important to gain a considerable amount of weight to support fetal development.
What Are The Notable Signs Of Preterm Labor?
- Persistent feeling of pressure in the pelvis region and the lower belly.
- Consistent feelings of contractions.
- Mild to moderate abdominal pain.
- Dull lower back pain.
- Vaginal spotting and light bleeding.
What Is The Most Important Reason For Premature Birth?
The most essential causes for premature birth are usually infections, premature birth, and being pregnant with twins or triplets. Other common factors include maternal health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, placental issues, and cervical problems.
Conclusion
Prenatal care is not just a medical checkup; it is a proactive commitment to ensure the wellness and safety of the baby and the mother. Starting prenatal care at the earliest possible time, especially in the first several weeks of pregnancy, helps in detecting and resolving health risks, ensures proper development of the baby, and mainly reduces the potential of premature delivery.
Every pregnancy is different, but consistent, timely, and well-planned prenatal care provides the mother with the required medical support and confidence they require for a full-term and healthy pregnancy. Proper prenatal care at the early stage paves the way for a joyful beginning to motherhood.
