World Prematurity Day: How New Mothers Can Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth

 

Premature birth (before 37 weeks) is the leading cause of death in children under five
globally. While not all cases are preventable, adopting key health and lifestyle strategies,
emphasized by specialists like Dr. Shelly Singh, can significantly lower the risk.

  1. Pre-Conception Health is Key

  • Manage Chronic Issues: Ensure conditions like diabetes, high blood
    pressure, and thyroid disorders are controlled before getting pregnant.
    Unmanaged conditions are a significant risk factor. Healthy Weight & Timing: Achieve a healthy BMI and waitat least 18 months between pregnancies to allow your body to recover and replenish nutrient stores fully.

  • Folic Acid: Start taking folic acid (400mcg) and a prenatal vitamin at least one
    month before conception.

  1. Prioritize Prenatal Care—Preterm Birth Care

  • Early & Regular Visits: Begin prenatal care as soon as possible. Early detection allows specialists to identify risk factors like a short cervix or infection.

  • Progesterone Therapy: If you have a high risk or a history of preterm birth, your
    doctor may prescribe progesterone (injections or suppositories), which has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence.

  • Infection Screening: Regularly screen and treat infections (like UTIs or bacterial vaginosis), as they can often trigger preterm labor.

3. Essential Lifestyle Modifications

  • No Smoking or Alcohol: Quit all smoking (including vaping) and avoid alcohol
    entirely. Smoking significantly elevates the risk.

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, as dehydration can sometimes stimulate
    uterine contractions.

  • Manage Stress: Use techniques like yoga or meditation to manage chronic, severe stress.

  • Modify Activity: Avoid jobs that require prolonged standing or excessive physical strain, or discuss modifications with your doctor.

Conclusion: Key Tests and Diagnostics

While lifestyle changes are crucial, specialized testing is the most effective way for doctors to diagnose and manage a mother’s individual risk of preterm birth. Specialists like Dr. Shelly Singh sometimes uses a combination of these clinical tools to guide treatment:

1. Cervical Length Monitoring

  • Test: Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVU).

  • Purpose: Measures the length of the cervix between 16 and 24 weeks. A measurement less than 25 mm is a significant predictor of spontaneous preterm birth.

  • Action: If a short cervix is detected, treatments like progesterone therapy or a cervical cerclage (a stitch placed to keep the cervix closed) may be initiated immediately.

2. Fetal Fibronectin (fFN) Test

  • Test: Fetal Fibronectin Test.

  • Purpose: Detects the presence of fFN protein between 22 and 34 weeks if preterm Labor symptoms are present.

  • Interpretation: A negative result strongly indicates that the mother is unlikely to deliver within the next one to two weeks, which can safely prevent unnecessary hospitalization. A positive result prompts closer monitoring.

3. Infection Screening & Treatment

  • Tests: Urine culture and screening for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) or other
    vaginal/cervical infections.

  • Purpose: Infections, even asymptomatic ones, can trigger the inflammatory cascadethat leads to premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor.

  •  Action: Aggressive and immediate antibiotic treatment is crucial once an infection is diagnosed, as clearing the infection can stop the progression to preterm delivery. Final Word
    Looking for the Best Gynecologist in Delhi NCR? Contact Dr. Shelly Singh today!!!

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