Can premature birth be natural delivery?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Whether a vaginal delivery is possible in the case of preterm labor depends on the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus, including the woman's birth canal, labor strength, the size and position of the fetus, among other factors. Generally, during a medical visit, a doctor will measure the woman's pelvis to roughly determine whether vaginal delivery is feasible. Women who experience preterm labor should go to the hospital for timely medical care and choose a hospital equipped for emergency services. If preterm delivery occurs, the baby's respiratory function may be relatively weak, necessitating the use of special equipment to assist breathing.

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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 Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby has poor gastrointestinal health?

In the process of premature birth, due to the incomplete development of various organs and the nervous system, a series of complications may occur in various systems. If there is currently gastrointestinal discomfort after premature birth, it still needs to be adjusted in many aspects. Firstly, during the feeding process, it is recommended to pay attention to the feeding scale of the formula, and it is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness of bottle feeding. If frequent diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions occur, some probiotics for the intestines can be applied for adjustment, or some antidiarrheal medications can be used for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Signs of premature birth

Preterm birth refers to childbirth occurring between 28 and 36 weeks plus six days of pregnancy. The signs of preterm birth include the following aspects. First, regular contractions occur, generally defined as four contractions within 20 minutes or eight contractions within 60 minutes. Second, there may be a small amount of "show," mainly due to minor bleeding caused by the separation of the fetal membrane from the uterine wall. Third, many women experience a significant feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, which is caused by the descent of the fetal head. Fourth, upon examination, it can be found that the cervical canal has shortened and the cervical opening has dilated. When the above symptoms occur, there should be a high suspicion of the risk of preterm birth, and medications should be used promptly as an intervention to try to avoid the occurrence of preterm birth.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Is premature birth hereditary?

Premature birth is not hereditary. There are many causes of premature birth, including reasons associated with the pregnant woman herself, such as hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy, as well as concurrent conditions like chronic nephritis and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to premature birth. Additionally, premature birth can be caused by a relaxed cervix, poor uterine development, congenital uterine malformations, and uterine fibroids. Furthermore, trauma to the abdomen during pregnancy, long-distance and prolonged travel, fatigue, and excessive emotional fluctuations can also lead to premature birth. Therefore, these factors related to premature birth are not associated with genetics.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Can oxytocin be used for premature birth?

Under normal circumstances, babies born between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation are referred to as premature infants. Persistent and regular abdominal pain, accompanied by dilation of the cervix, usually suggests preterm labor and a likely onset of labor, necessitating timely medical attention for appropriate examination and treatment. Normally, during the process of preterm labor, if there is insufficient uterine contraction or other abnormal conditions, it might be appropriate to use oxytocin to induce labor. If the mother has no other complications, vaginal delivery is still the primary method of delivery to reduce conditions such as fetal hypoxia in the uterus.