Premature Birth

664 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: the effects of alcohol abuse on pregnant women

There are many complications that can occur during childbirth, one being premature birth. Premature birth is birth before 37 weeks of development. Each year more than 543,000 babies are born prematurely, (Science Daily, 02/2010). Although there are many causes and possible complications for premature birth, there are also preventions that can decrease the likelihood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, premature birth comes with several known risk factors or causes; however, even if these known risk factors are not present, a woman can still have a premature baby. Some of these risk factors for prematurity include: carrying more than one baby, having a previous preterm birth, problems with the cervix or uterus, chronic health problems in the mother, certain infections during pregnancy, alcohol use, or cigarette smoking. When a woman has chronic health problems (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or clotting disorders), the baby is affected physically also, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009). Along with these chronic health problems, a woman has to consider her environment and how it becomes the baby’s environment also. If a woman smokes or drinks alcohol the baby is receiving all of the toxins that are deadly to a developing fetus and that also have no nourishment qualities whatsoever.

Complications can arise even with a full term newborn. However, the chances of complications increases and are apt to be more severe the earlier a baby is born. Preterm complications that can arise include the following: breathing and respiratory problems, feeding and digestive problems, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing loss to name a few ([CDC], 200...

... middle of paper ...

...s. Most women are fortunate and have an outcome of a full term, healthy baby, however, there are some women that are not so fortunate and have preterm births. With this said, all women, when contemplating pregnancy, should be aware of all the risks and possible complications that can arise and also the preventions that can be taken.

Works Cited

Petraglia, F., Strauss, J.F. (III), Gabbe, S.G.,& Weiss, G. (2007). Preterm birth: mechanisms, mediators, prediction, prevention and interventions. United Kingdom: London.

Prematurity.(2009). Retrieved July 10, 2010, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website: http://www.cdc.gov/features/prematurebirth/

Prevention is key research goal for premature babies, scientists say. (2010). Science Daily, Retrieved July 10, 2010, from http://ww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100210172220.htm

Show More
Related

  • When the Bough Breaks

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    One issue that is a big factor causing this is stress caused by racism. According to “Can Stress Cause Premature Labor?” By Cherly Bird, RN. Chronic stress is a stressful situation occurs and is not resolved, or reoccurs. The body is not able to cope with the stressful situation and does not return to normal. Studies show that moms with more stress are more likely to go into labor early, so we can say that stress increases a mom's risk of premature labor. When you are stressed the body can react in different ways, either with blood pressure or hormones. Some things that can help control the stress is counseling, talking about how you feel can help. Also, exercising, or complimentary therapies are a good way to help be more relaxed during a pregnancy.

    Read More

  • The Global Epidemic of Cesarean Surgery and the Feminist Movement

    4505 Words  | 10 Pages

    In doing this project the literature drawn from is largely non-scholarly for the reason that I am prevailing upon the reader to think outside the box about birth. Most of the “scholarly” research that is available was written by doctors or nurses/nurse midwives who were trained in the medical model of birth. Since part of my premise is that the high rate of Cesarean sections is caused in part by viewing birth as a medical and therefore pathological event, and in part for its emergence as a capitalistic industry, it was then necessary to find literature written by people who have expertise in birthing though not from the traditional obstetrical/medical school approach.

    Read More

  • Premature Triplets: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cook Children's Hospital

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mphahlele, R. R. (2007). Caring for premature babies - a clinical guide for nurses. Professional Nursing Today, 11(1), 40-46.

    Read More

  • Fetus Case Study

    1070 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first days and weeks after conception are critical for the baby. The health during the entire fetal period affects the brain, and behavioral teratogens affect the fetus at any time. Some teratogens that cause preterm birth or low birthweight are harmful in the second half of pregnancy. A study found that even though smoking cigarettes during prenatal development can harm the fetus, mothers who quit smokers early in pregnancy had no higher risks of birth complications than did women who never smoked. Another study found that binge drinking in the last trimester of pregnancy was more harmful to the brain than during any other period during pregnancy. It is recommended that women avoid drugs, have a diet of extra folic acid and iron, update their immunizations and gain or lose weight before

    Read More

  • The Effects of Placenta Previa

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mazel, Sharon, and Heidi E. Murkoff. "Placenta Previa." What To Expect When You Are Expecting. 4th ed. New York: Workman Publisher, 2008. 552-53.

    Read More

  • Nicu nursing

    1597 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are more than 70% of premature babies that are born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation a year. When a baby is born early, or born with birth defects, the Neonatal Intensive Care unit is its first home. The nurse’s in the NICU have the difficult job of preparing baby’s and parents for a health life together. A baby who has been put into the NICU will stay there until it is healthy enough to go home.

    Read More

  • pregnancy risk

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pregnant women have to be careful while pregnant. They have to watch out for various speed bumps. There are tons of toxins that can hurt the baby in the womb. The mother is responsible for most of these, after all she is the one who is carrying the baby. Many of these factors can result in death. It is really sad that it has to end that way some of the time. The worst toxins for a baby to encounter while in the mother’s uterus are different types of drugs and alcohol. Those two things can could serious problems for the infant once it gets into their system. They enter into the baby’s bloodstream from the mother, and cause problems from there on out.

    Read More

  • Cesarean Delivery vs Vaginal Delivery

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    Reddy, U. M., Zhang, J., Sun, L., Chen, Z., Raju, T. N., & Laughon, K. (2012). Neonatal mortality by attempted route of delivery in early preterm birth. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 207(2). doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.06.023

    Read More

  • Maternal Smoking Essay

    1317 Words  | 3 Pages

    Smoking is harmful to the mother, as it is to any individual who smokes, but it is linked to severe health issues for the baby. Problems seen in unborn foetuses include low birth weight, defects and even miscarriage. Problems seen in neonates include sudden infant death syndrome, asthma and childhood obesity. The mother is also at risk of vaginal bleeding and premature labour2.

    Read More

  • Challenges of Having Premature Babies

    1512 Words  | 4 Pages

    Statistics show the impact that preemies are causing as the rate of preterm birth increases every day. Any part of the world is affected no matter how advanced they are in technology. “One of every eight infants born in the United States is premature babies” (Medline Plus). These statistics are extremely high, however people can change it by getting involved in the community and helping preemies have a less chance to lose in their battle for life. In 2003; 499,008 infants were born prematurely (National Center for Health Statistics). The rates of preterm births have increased over the years. "In 1995: 11.0% of live births were born preterm, In 2006: 12.8% of live births were born preterm"(March of Dimes-Peristats). As the numbers keep increasing, many families are suffering and losing hope for they’re babies. African American women have the highest rate of preterm birth in 2004 with a 17.6% (Reedy, 2007). These statistics demonstrate the high frequenc...

    Read More

  • Play Influence on Child Development

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pasquariello, P. S., Jr. (Ed.). (1999). Book of pregnancy and child care. New York City, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

    Read More

  • Shoulder Dystocia

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    Both the mother and the baby could have complications from this event. The baby has a list of complication that they could have for example injury to the nerves in the arm and hand, possibly causing the arm to be paralyzed, breaking of the arm, collapse of the baby’s lung, lack of oxygen, which can cause problems with the nervous system, brain damage, or even death. Yes even the mother could have complications like tearing of the uterus, heavy bleeding after delivery, bruising or tearing of the cervix, tearing of the rectum, or bruising or irritation of the bladder.”almost all mothers at term will possess at l...

    Read More

  • C-Section

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the years birthing methods have changed a great deal. When technology wasn’t so advanced there was only one method of giving birth, vaginally non-medicated. However, in today’s society there are now more than one method of giving birth. In fact, there are three methods: Non-medicated vaginal delivery, medicated vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery, also known as c-section. In the cesarean delivery there is not much to prepare for before the operation, except maybe the procedure of the operation. A few things that will be discussed are: the process of cesarean delivery, reasons for this birthing method and a few reasons for why this birthing method is used. Also a question that many women have is whether or not they can vaginally deliver after a cesarean delivery, as well as the risks and benefits if it. Delivering a child by a c-section also has a few advantages and disadvantages for both the mother and child; this will also be discussed in more depth a bit later.

    Read More

  • Literature Review on Preterm Birth

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Preterm birth is defined as ‘any neonate whose birth occurs before the thirty seventh week of gestation’1 and represents approximately eight percent of all pregnancies1-4. It is eminent that these preterm infants are at risk of physical and neurological delay, with prolonged hospitalisation and an increased risk of long-term morbidity evident in prior literature3, 5-13. Innovative healthcare over the past thirty years has reduced mortality significantly14, with the survival rate of preterm infants having increased from twenty five percent in 1980 to seventy three percent in 200715. Despite, this drop in mortality long-term morbidity continues to remain within these surviving infants sparking a cause for concern15, 16.

    Read More

  • Motherhood and Pregnancy

    1421 Words  | 3 Pages

    This journal was useful for me because it gave me the background details on why women are opting for delayed motherhood by the age of 30 or 40. Accordingly, I was able to build up my points on how it will affect the health conditions of both baby and mother and also the risk of taking that challenge.

    Read More

More about Premature Birth

Open Document