Expert reveals causes of premature labour, births

The President of Nigeria Society of Neonatal Medicine, Dr Mariya-Mukhtar Yola, revealed that some pregnant women with naturally weak womb, and with the mouth of the womb not close as it ought to be, could result to premature labour.

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She disclosed this to commemorate the World Prematurity Day, and to raise awareness about issues surrounding premature babies and how to tackle them.

The theme of the 2023 commemoration is “Small Interventions: Big Actions, Skin to Skin Care for Everyone and Everywhere.”

Yola said pregnant women must always take good rest and attend antenatal care, as well as adhere to advises from medical professionals and experts.

Pregnant women must, be cautious and avoid carrying heavy equipment or engage in heavy duty activities.

She added that, pregnant women when identified early at the hospital, could be helped as the mouth of the womb could be closed to enable the baby stay longer to complete the term which is ripe for delivery.

The expert disclosed that premature babies face lots of challenges because they were born too soon and too small to cope, adding that their major challenge had to do with their body and their incomplete development.

She said such babies tend to have long immature breathing problems at birth and as they grow, because their immunity was not properly developed.

“Such babies are usually prone to infections and sicknesses, adding that in most cases, they find it difficult to suck or swallow effectively, a situation she said causes them feeding problem.

“Such babies are also sometimes prone to jaundice.

“My advice therefore is that every pregnant woman must learn how to look after herself, once you know you are expecting, please eat well, eat right, have good quality food, make sure you have time for yourself to rest, do not do excessive heavy work.

“Pregnant women must also avoid heavy labour activities because all these things predispose them to premature labour; and go for regular antenatal care because when such complication of womb opening is detected, doctors and nurses will advise on what to do.”