Preterm Birth: Causes, Consequences and Prevention

Preterm birth is the birth of a baby at less than 37 weeks into gestation. Certain risk factors for preterm birth are diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, being pregnant with two or more babies, vaginal infections, psychological stress and tobacco smoking, among others. The medical reason for early delivery is preeclampsia. Premature babies are considered at risk of developing cerebral palsy, developmental delays, auditory and sight problems. It is therefore not recommended to medically induce labor before 39 weeks, unless otherwise indicated due to certain clinical scenarios. In mothers who are considered at high risk of preterm delivery, it is recommended to take the hormone progesterone and folic acid before pregnancy. In other cases, medications such as nifedipine and corticosteroids can improve outcomes. Calcium supplementation for women with low dietary calcium, smoking cessation, routine ultrasound evaluation, etc. are certain tactics for reducing the chances of preterm birth. This book provides comprehensive insights into the causes, consequences and prevention of preterm birth. It consists of contributions made by international experts in obstetrics and gynecology. The topics covered in this book offer the readers new insights in preterm birth.