Are you afraid that your baby will be born prematurely? Let's learn about ways to prevent it!

The best thing for you, the mother-to-be, and your little one in your womb is for your baby to be born at term, which is usually around 40 weeks. By then, all of the baby's organs have developed well. However, sometimes our babies are a little too hasty and try to come into the world before 37 weeks. In medical terms, we call this 'premature birth' . Being born this early can sometimes cause health problems for the baby that can affect them for the rest of their lives, so it's important for us all to be aware of this. So, today we'll talk about these premature births, how to prevent them, and what to do if something like that happens.

Can premature birth be prevented? Or what can be done to reduce the risk?

In fact, some mothers are at a slightly higher risk of having a premature birth than others. For example, some mothers' cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina - may be slightly shorter or weaker. For these women, or for mothers who have had a premature birth in the past, the risk is higher this time.

But don't worry, there are treatments that doctors can provide in cases like this.

Treatment for those with a short cervix and those who have had previous premature births

• Progesterone treatment: This is actually a hormone. If you have had a previous preterm birth, or if your doctor has found that your cervix is ​​too short, you may be given a hormone called progesterone, either as an injection or as a vaginal suppository. This can help reduce the risk of preterm birth.

• Cerclage: Cerclage is a minor surgery. It involves closing your cervix, or the opening of your uterus, with a few stitches. It's like tying it shut. This reduces the chance of the cervix opening early and the baby coming out. Doctors usually recommend cerclage for women who have had previous miscarriages, miscarriages, or who have a short cervix, or for women whose cervix has started to open prematurely.

Important: Neither of these treatments works for everyone. Only your doctor can decide whether one of these is right for you.

How is this treatment for mothers with twins?

If you are a mother expecting twins or triplets, you are at slightly higher risk of having a premature baby. Unfortunately, research shows that the progesterone treatment we talked about earlier and the cerclage surgery are not usually very effective in preventing premature birth when you are carrying twins.

What do you do if symptoms suddenly appear before the baby arrives?

Imagine, you suddenly have a stomach ache, a strong pain like a period pain (Contractions). Or you start to have blood or water coming out of your vagina. This water may leak out gradually, it may be continuous, or it may come out suddenly and a large amount. If you experience any of these signs, you should immediately call your doctor or midwife without delay.

Especially if you are bleeding from the vagina, or if you think your water has broken, you should go to the nearest hospital immediately.

If you are expecting a premature baby, the best thing to do is to go to a hospital with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is a specialized unit for treating premature babies and has specially trained staff. In such a place, the baby will receive all the necessary facilities.

What treatments are available at the hospital?

When you go to the hospital with preterm labor pains, doctors may start treatments like these to help you and your baby:

• Antibiotics: These medications are given to prevent various infections in the baby and mother, or to treat an existing infection.
• Steroids: This is a very important type of medication. These steroids help the baby's lungs develop faster if they are born prematurely, reducing the risk of breathing problems. It takes about 24-48 hours for the full benefits of this medication to kick in.
• Tocolytics: Sometimes doctors try to delay the delivery of the baby by a day or two. This is to give the steroids that were mentioned earlier time for the baby's lungs to develop. It also buys time if you need to be transferred to a hospital with a NICU.

Doctors don't always try to stop labor pains!

But here's the thing: If the baby is more than 34 weeks along, meaning the baby's lungs are somewhat developed, or if there is a serious health problem for either the mother or the baby (for example, a severe infection in the mother, heavy bleeding, or an abnormal heartbeat in the baby), doctors will not try to stop the baby from being born this way. This could cause further harm to both the mother and the baby.

What can I personally do to prevent this premature birth?

Premature birth is not always completely preventable. There are some causes that we cannot control. However, you can do your part to reduce this risk as much as possible. Here are some top tips:

• Get proper prenatal care and medical advice: From the day you find out you are pregnant, see your doctor regularly and on time, and follow his or her instructions. Don't miss any clinic appointments. Get all your tests done. This is the best way to have a healthy baby.

• Take care of your other health problems: If you have any health problems, such as ``Diabetes Mellitus'', ``High blood pressure'', thyroid problems, or ``Depression'', it is very important to get them properly treated and controlled before getting pregnant, and throughout your pregnancy.

• Completely avoid bad habits: Smoking, drinking alcohol, and using illegal drugs should be completely stopped. These are very harmful to you and your unborn baby. These not only lead to premature birth, but also hinder the baby's development.

• Eat a good, nutritious diet: Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods, such as greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products, fish, and eggs, every day. Clean, home-cooked meals are best. Avoid foods that are high in oil, sugar, salt, and artificial flavors as much as possible. Take the vitamins your doctor has prescribed.

• Gain the right amount of weight: It's normal to gain some weight during pregnancy. However, gaining too much weight is not good, and neither is gaining too little. Talk to your doctor and manage your weight in a way that suits you.

• Protect yourself from infections: Some infections can affect your baby during pregnancy. Therefore, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly. Especially before eating and after using the toilet. Do not eat raw meat, fish, or eggs. Cook them thoroughly. Do not eat unpasteurized milk or cheese. Use a condom during sex to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. If you have cats in your home, avoid handling their feces during this time. (Toxoplasmosis can be a risk factor for infection).

• Reduce stress: This may be easier said than done, but it's important to try to reduce the amount of stress in your life as much as possible. Try to relax and do things that make you happy. Things like meditating, listening to music, and reading a book can help you calm down. If you need help, talk to your family, friends, or your doctor about it.

The most important things we want to take home from this story are

So, I hope that the things we've discussed today have given you some idea about premature birth.

Remember, every pregnancy is different. Every mother and every baby have different risk factors.

The most important thing is:

• It is best for your baby's health to be born at full term.
• If you are at risk of premature birth (e.g., if you have had it before, if your cervix is ​​short), talk to your doctor about it and find out about the necessary treatments (Progesterone, Cerclage).
• Be aware of signs of premature labor (abdominal pain, bleeding, watery discharge). If any of these occur , seek medical advice immediately.
• Whenever possible, try to go to a hospital with ``NICU'' facilities.
• And, there are many things you can do to reduce this risk. These include getting proper prenatal care, following a healthy lifestyle, and protecting yourself from infections.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, be sure to see your doctor and discuss all of these things. Mothers who receive regular prenatal care are much more likely to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. Wishing you and your baby all the best!

` Premature birth, pregnancy care, cerclage, progesterone, NICU, baby's health, early delivery