Understanding Preterm Birth

It takes 40 weeks to fully grow a human – nine months of incubating life while going to doctor’s appointments, taking prenatal vitamins, watching your diet, exercising, and waiting while your body prepares for a miracle. Cathrine Versfeld asks what if that miracle happens before your body, and you, are you ready?

The first appointment with your obstetrician is exhilarating and nerve-racking. Very often, the doctor will take a scan to confirm pregnancy, and you’ll get a chance to see your tiny baby for the first time in the womb. The first question on the lips of all newly pregnant parents is about the due date. At this stage the doctor will ask you the date of your last period and calculate the estimated due date by adding 40 weeks. Of all the information you receive on that epic day, the due date is something all parents cling to. It is circled in diaries and leave and family events are planned around that date. But what if your baby is one of the 10 babies in South Africa that is born preterm?

DEFINING PREMATURITY

A baby that is born anywhere before the 37th week of pregnancy or three weeks before your due date is considered premature. From 38 weeks, your baby can decide to come at any time right up to 42 weeks, and this is perfectly normal.

HOW EARLY IS TOO EARLY?

Ten years ago, babies born before 28 weeks had little to no hope of survival. However, modern advances have made it possible for babies born as young as 26 weeks to have a good chance at life. The longer a baby can stay in the womb though, the higher the chance of success. For this reason, mothers with complications will be given medication to try and hold off labour for as long as possible. Even a few days or a week extra in the womb can make a huge difference to baby’s development.