Premature Labour

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What is Premature Labour?
Why is premature labour a problem?

What is Premature Labour?

Premature labour, also sometimes referred to as preterm labour, is defined as regular contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy, that are accompanied with changes in the cervix. Premature birth occurs in about 5-10% of all births in developed countries, and is often a result of premature labour. However, there are other things that can lead to premature birth, such as the rupture of foetal membranes, abnormalities of the uterus, and other medical problems.

Why is premature labour a problem?

Premature labour can result in premature birth. Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death as premature babies usually have several difficulties breathing, regulating their body temperature, digesting food, and with their liver function. These problems occur in premature babies because their body systems have not had enough time to develop properly.

Breathing problems - Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

RDS is the most common cause of neonatal death. By the 7th month of pregnancy, the respiratory system is developed and mature enough to support life. However, infants born at this time do not have a substance called pulmonary surfactant in their lungs which is necessary for normal breathing. This lack of surfactant causes the airways of the lungs to collapse whenever the baby breathes out, so that it takes a lot of effort to reinflate the lungs. This requires the infant to use a large amount of energy to breathe, which can lead to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The difficulty in breathing can result in the brain and other essential organs not receiving adequate amounts of oxygen.

Treatment

RDS may be treated in hospital by providing the infant's lungs with oxygen-enriched air to keep the lungs inflated between breaths, while giving surfactant to the baby at the same time.

Problems regulating body temperature

The hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that normally controls body temperature, is not properly developed in a premature baby, so that it cannot regulate its body temperature effectively. The infant may as a result get too cold and develop hypothermia.

Treatment

The infant's body temperature is usually regulated in hospital by placing the baby in a warmer.

Digestive problems

Infants that are more than 8 weeks premature have digestive tracts that are too poorly developed for a normal diet of breast milk.

Treatment

Infants with digestive problems are fed a low fat formula, since they cannot absorb fat very well. They are also given calcium and vitamin D supplements to promote bone formation.

Liver problems

Premature babies have poorly developed livers that produce insufficient amounts of a substance called albumin. This leads to a condition known as hypoproteinemia, where there is an abnormally low level of protein in the blood. A excess of fluid of the body tissues can develop from this, known as oedema, and may cause the tissues to swell. The liver also may not secret sufficient amounts of blood clotting factors, causing the infant to bleed easily.

Jaundice is another condition that may develop in premature infants because the liver cannot dispose of its bile components effectively. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and other tissues of a newborn infant. It is generally harmless and disappears on its own. It is common in many infants regardless of when they are born, but is especially more common in premature babies.

Futher details on treatment after birth can be found later in this article.