Most parents are counting down the days for their little one to arrive, but pregnancy can be prone to medical complications that affect the baby's arrival. Preterm birth, also known as premature labour, is one such complication. According to Bliss, around 60,000 babies in the UK are born prematurely which can make them vulnerable to medical issues associated with being born preterm. While this is the last thing a caregiver wants to hear, it's important to note that not all babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy need any specialist care. Though common, preterm labour and the death of premature babies are argued to be preventable. Here's everything you need to know about preterm birth and how it is preventable:

What is preterm birth?

Preterm birth is when labour occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. It currently affects 15 million babies every year worldwide and is the leading global cause of death for children under the age of 5. Not all premature babies experience complications, delivering a baby before term can mean they're more susceptible to a series of long and short-term conditions. These range from breathing and gastrointestinal problems to cerebral palsy and sudden infant death syndrome. In most cases, the exact cause of premature isn't clear but some factors put you more at risk of preterm birth. These include previous preterm labour, pregnancies with twins or triplets, conditions such as preeclampsia, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking alcohol.

Is preterm birth preventable?

There is no one size fits all solution to preterm birth as often the specific cause in each case is not known. However, you'll be glad to know that there are things you can do to prevent preterm labour. Maintaining a healthy diet and cutting out smoking and alcohol is a great way to keep your baby happy and your body in good shape up until term time. Also, spacing out your pregnancies and following proper prenatal care prevents any pressure on the foetus and body.It's also the responsibility of your medical team to closely monitor you and your baby. A report published by the Guardian showed that 75% of deaths of premature babies are preventable, with mistakes such as failing to identify infections and prescribing the wrong medication contributing to this figure. If you feel like you or your baby have been medically neglected, you could contact a team of solicitors to discuss medical negligence and potentially receive some compensation. Call +91 8010-994-994 and talk to Credihealth Medical Experts for FREE. Get assistance in choosing the right specialist doctor and clinic, compare treatment costs from various centres, and timely medical updates