Late preterm birth
Having
a baby 3-6 weeks early can pose some health risks to you and your baby. But
there are steps you can take to help your baby stay healthy and grow normally
after an early birth.
Late
preterm labor occurs between 34 and almost 37 weeks of gestation. A full-term
pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks.
Babies
grow about 225 grams per week during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. During this
time, your baby continues to develop.
But
there are reasons why you and your doctor may decide to have a premature birth.
- You have high blood pressure, diabetes, or preeclampsia, a serious form of high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Twins
- Your baby or twins don’t have enough room in the uterus to grow further
- Your placenta is blocking the birth canal opening (placenta previa)
- You've had previous caesarean section
- Your water breaks early
In
other cases, some things can make a woman more likely to have a premature baby:
- Being in your teens, or age 40 and over
- Smoking
- Using alcohol or drugs
- Depression or lots of stress
- Being a victim of domestic violence
How might this affect my child?
Your
late preterm newborn is at risk for certain health problems. When you both get
home from the hospital, watch for signs that you may need to call your doctor
or take your child to the emergency room.
- Feeding milk. Your baby may eat slowly and may
not be able to eat as much milk or formula as a full-term baby. You will feed
them more frequently, about every 3 or 4 hours. If they refuse to eat, call
your doctor or nurse. If your baby is having difficulty learning to breastfeed,
seek help from a nurse, doctor, or lactation consultant.
- Sleep. Your baby may be more sleepy than
full-term babies. They may even sleep while feeding. Wake your child up when
it's time to eat. Lay the baby on his back to sleep.
- Breath. Call your doctor if you notice
that he is having trouble breathing.
- Body temperature. Late preterm babies do not have
enough fat to maintain a normal temperature. Keep your child away from cold
drafts. Keep their room warm and cozy. In winter, dress them in layers to keep
them warm.
- Jaundice. If your child's skin or eyes are
yellow or have difficulty eating, this could be a sign of this condition. This
means that their liver cannot clear the blood of a substance called bilirubin.
Before leaving the hospital, make sure they get tested for jaundice and call
your doctor if you notice any symptoms. This can lead to brain damage if not
treated early.
- Infections. Late preterm babies do not have a
fully developed immune system. This puts them at a higher risk of infection.
Watch for symptoms of illness, such as a high fever or trouble breathing. Call
your doctor if you think your child needs treatment for an infection.
What challenges may await us in the future?
Every
baby develops at a different rate, but your baby may reach certain milestones
later than term babies. They may be slower to roll onto their back, talk, or
pick up and hold objects with their hands. At 2 years old, they should catch
up. Otherwise, they may need additional support or therapy.
Late preterm
babies may be more susceptible to health problems like asthma or cerebral palsy
as they get older. They may develop some skills more slowly and have difficulty
concentrating at home or at school. Some find it difficult to master things
like holding a pencil or brushing their teeth.
Other children develop behavioral problems later. Some have emotional outbursts, while others may be hyperactive. They may have problems learning or reading at school. If your child has these problems, ask the school or teachers about special education programs or tutoring.