What Causes Premature Birth

Infections of the amniotic fluid and vagina can also cause premature birth.

What causes premature birth. There could also be a genetic influence. Some preterm births happen on their own a mother goes into labor and her baby comes early. Complications such as infection or cervical incompetence increase the risk.

Premature labour or preterm labour is when your labour starts more than three weeks before your due date ie. PTB is defined as birth before 37 weeks gestation very early PTB is before 32 weeks early PTB occurs around 3236 weeks late PTB is between 3436 weeks gestation and early term birth is delivered at 3738 weeks. Causes of premature birth include pregnancy-related disorders pregnancy history or having multiple babies at a time.

Preterm birth PTB also known as premature birth is the birth of a baby at fewer than 37 weeks gestational age as opposed to full term delivery at approximately 40 weeks. These infections are responsible for half of all preterm births which is mainly due to the inflammation these conditions cause. Problems with the uterus cervix or placenta.

When labor happens on its own when moms water breaks early and when doctors decide that delivering the baby is medically necessary. Common causes of preterm birth include multiple pregnancies infections and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. When a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy it is called a preterm delivery.

This is why mothers-to-be are routinely screened for infections which can almost double the risk of a premature birth. The causes of preterm labor and premature birth are numerous complex and only partly understood. Better understanding of the causes and mechanisms will advance the development of solutions to prevent preterm birth.

What causes premature birth. Often the specific cause of premature birth isnt clear. An estimated 15 million babies are born preterm.