What health effects would being born a month early have on a baby? What are some reasons for premature labour? Is it all internal or are there external reasons as well?
→ Anonymous
As long as the baby is born after week 34 (give or take a week), the baby should not have any complications other than those that occurred in utero during development. After 31 weeks, chance of survival is good.
Reasons for premature labor:
- Pregnancy with multiple children
- Conception through in vitro fertilization
- Using drugs
- Previous premature births
- Chronic conditions
- Infections
- Medically induced labor
- Stress
- Injury
- Cervical problems
- Kidney/bladder problems
- High fever
- Multiple abortions in the past
- Poor prenatal care
Problems for the baby:
Respiratory problems are common in premature babies because their lungs are not fully developed and are unable to expand as needed. Sometimes the baby cannot breathe on their own and will need medical help, thus making for a longer hospital stay than usual.
Problems that may occur in the baby:
- Chronic lung disease (mostly in those born before 33 weeks)
- Respiratory distress syndrome (mostly in those born before 35 weeks)
- Heart problems (mostly in those born before 30 weeks)
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