Are you at risk for a premature delivery?
Premature delivery is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of the pregnancy and is responsible for about 3 in 4 neonatal deaths. The risk of premature births depends on many factors including but not limited to whether you previously delivered prematurely, have twins, or if you are older.
In addition to preterm labor, there are other complications such as premature rupture of fetal membranes or multiples that can lead to premature birth. Premature birth is the primary reason for neonatal death. Close to 75 percent of neonatal deaths are due to babies born too early.
In babies that survive a premature birth, many are more likely to have more health problems than babies born after 37 weeks. Complications include lung, brain, and bowel issues.
What causes preterm birth?
Besides age, risk factors include being underweight or overweight before pregnancy or not gaining enough weight during pregnancy, having high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or diabetes, having a sexually transmitted disease or another infection of the uterus, urinary tract or vagina, having a family history of premature birth.
Some women are more likely than others to have preterm labor and premature birth. They are at risk for premature births. In certain conditions, it's possible to reduce your risk factors to help make you less likely to have preterm labor.
Get your own Premature Birth Risk Assessment!