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On World Prematurity Day, a gynaecologist says that in nearly half of cases of preterm delivery, the exact cause is unknown, and shares things to keep in mind to reduce risk.
To avoid a preterm baby, it’s important to manage stress
For the first time ever, November 17 will be celebrated as World Prematurity Day as a way to bring awareness to the cause. The World Health Assembly officially added this day to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) international health calendar and aims to improve child survival and well-being. It is important to note that the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (now the Global Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants, or GFCNI) did highlight this day and its cause back in 2008.
What Is Preterm Birth? Where Does India Stand In The World?
Prematurity Day refers to a baby being born before 37 weeks of gestation, which is called a preterm birth, and babies born this early are called preemies. A baby born prematurely can develop many complications. According to the WHO, such complications are the leading cause of death among children under five years of age, and each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born too soon.
According to a report released by WHO-UNICEF-PMNCH that showed the global preterm birth rate in 2020, India, followed by Pakistan, is currently leading as the nation with the largest number of preterm births. An estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, and nearly 1 million died from related complications. The report indicated that poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean drinking water affected the health of babies and women in India.
Dr Shailaja N, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Bannerghatta, says, “Not every case of preterm delivery is stoppable, but with a little attention during pregnancy, a lot of them can be prevented. The most crucial action is attending antenatal check-ups regularly. There are many expectant mothers who don’t go for check-ups, thinking that everything is alright, but if problems like high blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes or infections are detected at an early stage, they can be treated, and that way the birth can be prevented from happening too early.”
What Causes Preterm Birth?
Preterm birth can occur for many reasons, and in nearly half of cases, the exact cause is unknown. However, several factors are known to increase the risk:
1. Previous preterm delivery
2. Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
3. Maternal infections
4. High blood pressure, diabetes or thyroid disorders
5. Smoking, alcohol or drug use
6. Short interval between pregnancies
7. Extreme stress or poor nutrition
What can a new mother do to have a full-term birth?
Having a diet that is well-balanced and that consists of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in adequate quantities, plus iron and folic acid, will assure the baby’s healthy development. Do not disregard iron supplements, as anaemia is one of the most common causes of preterm birth in India.
During the pregnancy, stress needs to be managed, as high stress, overdoing it with work and not taking enough rest can all cause a woman to have early contractions. Small habits like taking short breaks regularly, going for a slow stroll, listening to music or speaking to a trusted confidant during emotionally high moments can help in keeping you calm.
Women who are pregnant should avoid drinking and smoking, which includes second-hand smoke exposure, as it cuts down the oxygen supply to the baby and increases the chances of delivery before time.
In case of a mother having a history of preterm birth, she must let the physician know early for possible additional monitoring. Spacing pregnancies is another vital measure—at least 18 months of waiting between the two pregnancies is the minimum requirement for the body to fully recover.
New WHO developments on World Prematurity Day
This year, WHO released the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) – a simple life-saving intervention that improves survival for preterm babies. It combines prolonged skin-to-skin contact with breast-milk feeding, as it has been shown to dramatically improve outcomes for small and preterm newborns. It is also the most cost-effective way to care for such babies.
According to the WHO statement, doing this has been associated with more than a 30% reduction in newborn deaths, close to a 70% reduction in hypothermia and a 15% reduction in severe infections. It also helps with weight gain, longer-term health and cognitive development.
November 16, 2025, 16:20 IST
