Here in Texas, the premature birth rate is higher than the U.S. average with 1 in 9 infants born prematurely.
Monica Garza-Vickery is a registered nurse at the University Hospital newborn transitional care nursery. She explains what parents should know if they are told that they might deliver a premature baby.
Types of Premature Birth
Premature birth is defined as birth happening before 37 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are four categories of premature birth:
- Late preterm: Your baby is born at or before 34-36 completed weeks of pregnancy
- Moderately preterm: Your baby is born at or before 32-34 weeks of pregnancy
- Very preterm: Your baby is born at or before 26-32 weeks of pregnancy
- Extremely preterm: Your baby is born at or before 25 weeks of pregnancy
Risk Factors for Premature Birth
Premature births can happen for a variety of reasons, like “various untreated infection(s) or dehydration, previous pre-term deliveries … (if mom is) older than 35 or smokes during pregnancy,” Garza-Vickery said.
Other risk factors that may cause a woman to give birth too early are:
- Getting pregnant again within a short time (less than a year) after having a baby
- Being pregnant with more than one baby
- Having an abnormal cervix or uterus
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or problems with the placenta
- Having health problems, such as:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- hormonal problems
- high levels of social and psychological stress
- Using drugs, such as cocaine or meth
How Common Is Premature Birth?
According to the CDC, as of 2021, 1 in 10 infants in the U.S. are born prematurely.
The rate of preterm births varies by race and ethnicity:
- African American women: 15%
- Hispanic women: 10%
- White women: 9.5%
Complications for Premature Babies
Premature babies may have extra medical needs, including:
- Regulating their body temperature or staying warm
- Breathing problems
- Heart or blood pressure problems
- Blood problems including anemia , often requiring blood transfusions and jaundice
- Kidney problems
- Eye problems
- Digestive problems, including immature absorption and digestion
- Most premature babies need intravenous (IV) nutrition until their bodies are ready to feed normally
- In some cases, there may be very serious inflammation and death of parts of the intestine, known as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
- Nervous system problems
- Infections
Reduce the Risk for Premature Birth
There are ways to reduce the risk for giving birth early, however. Getting good, consistent prenatal care starting as soon as you find out that you are pregnant is important to ensure your and your baby’s health. The earlier you start prenatal care, the better.
Other ways to reduce your risk are:
- Stop smoking if you smoke. Your provider can assist with this, if you need help
- Avoid alcohol and drugs before and during pregnancy
- Maintain healthy habits throughout pregnancy
- Find out if you are at risk for preterm labor. Ask your provider and follow instructions if you are at risk, this can prolong your pregnancy. Every week closer to full term gives baby a better chance of fewer complications.
- Learn the warning signs and symptoms of preterm labor
- Get treated for preterm labor and know where your local OB emergency room is
- Wait at least 18 months between pregnancies
Pregnancy and Childbirth at University Health
Learn more about the highest quality care for premature babies at University Health in San Antonio.
