Can premature birth be natural birth?

Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
Updated on September 24, 2024
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First, let's discuss the concept of preterm birth, which is defined as births occurring between less than 37 weeks and more than 28 weeks of gestation. There are many reasons for preterm birth, such as genetic factors, premature rupture of membranes, or complications during pregnancy. If the pelvic size is adequate and the child can tolerate delivery, then vaginal delivery is preferred; however, if the fetus is too small or there are complications during pregnancy such as gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, or if the mother's health status is not good, it is recommended to opt for a cesarean section to ensure a timely delivery.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is prematurity prone to jaundice?

Premature infants often exhibit jaundice. This is because during premature birth, the baby's gas distension function is not yet perfect, the liver's detoxification capabilities are relatively weak, and the ability to process bilirubin is poor. Therefore, jaundice easily occurs, and the physiological jaundice in premature infants is more severe compared to full-term infants. Due to the reduced sucking ability and swallowing reflex in premature infants and their underdeveloped intestinal function, most babies cannot be normally breastfed after birth. The increased absorption of bilirubin in the intestines exacerbates the jaundice in premature infants. It is advised for premature infants to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible and some medications can also be used to promote liver enzyme activity.

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Written by Yue Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Premature birth is how many months?

Preterm birth refers to a newborn born between 28 and less than 38 weeks of pregnancy. Moreover, at this time, the heart size is generally more than 1000 grams. There are many reasons for this occurrence, most of which are related to intrauterine infection in pregnant women, such as patients with premature rupture of membranes or chorioamnionitis are prone to preterm birth. Additionally, if there has been a previous pregnancy, abortion, with a short interval between them, or if an ultrasound detects that the cervical length is less than 25 millimeters, there is also an increased likelihood of preterm birth.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of preterm labor?

According to the current situation, generally, embryos delivered between 28 to 37 weeks of cessation of menstruation are considered preterm. Under normal circumstances, if there is already regular abdominal pain accompanied by abdominal bloating and uterine contractions, it is generally considered whether there is a possibility of threatened miscarriage. Normally, frequent uterine contractions and abdominal hardening can stimulate cervical dilation, which generally may lead to preterm birth. Therefore, these are the signs of preterm labor. If regular abdominal pain occurs and persists for several hours without relief, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for treatment to prevent premature birth.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What does it feel like when the cervix opens prematurely?

Under normal circumstances, if preterm labor is already confirmed and the cervix is fully dilated, it is generally considered inevitable and preparations for the active resuscitation of the newborn should be made. Typically, if the cervix is fully dilated due to preterm labor, regular abdominal pain may first occur along with discomfort in the lower abdomen, indicating strong uterine contractions. After the uterus contracts, this leads to continuous dilation of the cervix until it expands to ten centimeters. Once fully dilated, the next steps in treatment are carried out, closely monitoring the condition of the premature infant after birth and providing symptomatic medication if necessary.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Is excessive amniotic fluid likely to cause premature birth?

Polyhydramnios is relatively common during pregnancy and can have a certain impact on the fetus. There are many reasons that can cause polyhydramnios, but regardless of the cause, polyhydramnios tends to lead to preterm birth. When there is an excessive amount of amniotic fluid, it puts significant pressure on the amniotic sac, which can easily lead to premature rupture of membranes. Premature rupture of membranes itself can stimulate the cervix, release inflammatory mediators, thereby causing contractions and symptoms of preterm labor. After the membranes rupture prematurely, infection within the uterine cavity is likely to occur, generally meaning that the possibility of keeping the pregnancy going for a long duration is unlikely. Therefore, polyhydramnios is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor. In clinical practice, if excessive amniotic fluid is detected during prenatal check-ups, it is advised to control the diet, engage in appropriate physical activities, or use other methods to keep the amniotic fluid level within the normal range.