HOLD ON BABY!

Sometimes, babies come into the world before your 40 weeks of pregnancy are complete. Here’s how to spot pre-term labour and what you can expect.

- SISTER BURGIE IRELAND

Doctor Trudy Smith, an obstetrician at Charlotte Maxeke JohannesburgAcademic Hospital, stresses the importance of good antenatal care and recognising the signs of early labour so that you can get help.

“Sometimes, spontaneous labour can be stopped or controlled long enough to mature the baby’s lungs to minimise complications,” she says. “But when the mother’s life is at risk, because there’s no way of stopping vaginal bleeding or controlling any pregnancy-induced hypertension, we have no choice but to deliver the baby early.”

Labour that begins before 37 weeks is called preterm labour. Babies born before 28 weeks or weighing as little as 500g can and do survive – but at a cost. “Although we can’t always identify the cause of premature labour, we know who’s at risk, so we can monitor these women throughout pregnancy to help prevent or minimise complications,” Dr Smith says.

Premature labour may begin with the baby, the womb, hormones or circumstances. For example, a big baby (either because of genetics or gestational diabetes) can overstretch the womb, as does a multiple pregnancy. Polyhydramnios – too much amniotic fluid – can also cause premature labour. The cervix may be weak and unable to “hold” the baby beyond six months. Infections, leaking amniotic fluid and vaginal bleeding are all associated with early labour.