In this section
- Your pregnancy history
- Pre-eclampsia and premature birth
- Cone biopsy and LLETZ
- Gestational diabetes and premature birth
- Lifestyle and premature birth
- Premature birth FAQs
Most preterm babies arrive early without warning. However, some pregnancies are known to be at risk of ending in preterm birth.
We still have a lot to learn about premature birth so it's not always possible to explain the causes and why it happens. There are maternal and baby risk factors for being born early, such as infection, placental problems or genetic problems for example, but in many cases the cause is unknown.
This is partly why prevention of premature birth is still in need of extensive research - without knowing the causes, a treatment is difficult. Tommy's invests more than £400,000 annually into prematurity research.
The following are all risk factors for premature birth.
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Cone biopsy and LLETZ
LLETZ and cone biopsy are both treatments to remove abnormal cells in cervical area. LLETZ stands for Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone.
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Intraheptic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC), is a liver disorder that can develop during pregnancy.
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Pre-eclampsia and premature birth
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that only occurs during pregnancy, typically after 20 weeks. It is a combination of hypertension (high blood pressure) and proteinuria (protein in your urine).
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Intrauterine infection (chorioamnionitis)
Intrauterine infection, also known as chorioamnionitis, is infection within the womb.
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Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also known as fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which a baby's growth slows or stops during pregnancy.
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Type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you will be used to managing it, but during pregnancy changes to your body and hormones mean that your previous treatment and self-care might have to change.
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Lifestyle factors and premature birth
The way your life is lived can have an effect on your risk of premature birth.
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Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage its own tissues or cells.
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Multiple pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy means carrying more than one baby, normally twins.
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Uterine abnormality - problems with the womb
Some women have a congenital uterine abnormality, which is a womb/uterus that formed in an unusual way before birth.
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Cervical incompetence
When the cervix shortens and opens in the second trimester (16 to 24 weeks) or early in the third trimester without any other symptoms of labour it may be referred to as cervical incompetence or cervical insufficiency.
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Waters breaking early (PPROM)
If your waters break early, seek medical advice straight away as you could be at risk of premature labour.
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Information about placental abruption
The placenta is your baby’s support system in the womb. If your placenta doesn’t work properly, your baby is at risk of health problems. Placental abruption is when your placenta comes away from the wall of your womb.
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Low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)
The placenta is your baby’s support system in the womb. If the placenta doesn’t work properly, your baby is at risk of health problems.
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Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It is also known as ‘hyperglycaemia in pregnancy’.
Read more about premature birth
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Premature birth and depression
Giving birth to a premature baby is emotionally traumatic as well as physically. Sometimes it leads to depression.
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Taking your premature baby home
You've probably been longing for this moment, but when it's time to take your premature baby home, it can be daunting.
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Your premature baby's time in hospital
If your baby is born prematurely, she may need to spend some time in hospital.
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Giving birth to your premature baby
Giving birth is one of the most life-changing experiences you'll ever have, but it doesn't always go as planned, especially when your baby is premature.
ℹLast reviewed on April 1st, 2017. Next review date April 1st, 2020.
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