Overview

Preterm birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, which gives the baby's organs time to fully develop. Babies who are born too soon may have lungs, brains, and other important organs that aren't fully developed. This can cause health problems in the short and long term. The sooner a baby is born, the more likely it is to have problems. Preterm birth is a leading cause of illness and death in newborns around the world. Early prenatal care and prompt medical intervention markedly enhance survival and long-term developmental outcomes.

Symptoms
Regular contractions before 37 weeks, cramping in the lower abdomen, back pain, pelvic pressure, and changes in vaginal discharge are all signs that labour may start early. There may also be vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking. Some women may feel their stomachs tighten a lot. If these symptoms show up, you need to get medical help right away.

Causes
There are many things that can cause a baby to be born too early. Infections in the mother, high blood pressure, diabetes, or problems with the uterus raise the risk. Having twins or more than one baby increases the chance of giving birth early. Stress, smoking, bad eating habits, and having a baby too early in the past are also factors. Sometimes the exact cause is still unknown.

Diagnosis
To diagnose, you need to monitor changes in the cervix and uterine contractions. Ultrasound helps assess the length of the cervix and fetal growth. Fetal monitoring checks to see how healthy the baby is. Tests done in the lab may find an infection or other things that could be causing it. Early detection allows treatment before the problem worsens.

Treatment
If it's safe for both the mother and the baby, treatment aims to delay delivery. Doctors may give you medicine to slow down contractions and help your baby's lungs grow. Antibiotics kill bacteria that cause infections. You may need to go to the hospital and be closely watched. After birth, premature babies often need special neonatal intensive care to help them breathe and eat.

The baby's chances of survival depend on how early they are born and how much medical help is available. Improvements in neonatal care have greatly increased the likelihood of survival. Early intervention and follow-up care help kids grow and develop in a healthy way.