SCRIPT NUMBER 115
PREMATURE BIRTH - 2
(TWO SPEAKERS)
PROGRAM NAME: HEALTH NUGGETS
PROGRAM TITLE: PREMATURE BIRTH - 2
PROGRAM NUMBER: 115
SUBJECT: CAUSES, TREATMENT, PREVENTION OF PREMATURE AND
LOW BIRTHWEIGHT BABIES
KEY WORDS: CEREBRAL PALSY, LEARNING DISABILITY, PREMATURE
LABOR, WOMB, SEXUAL ACTIVITY
DATE OF SCRIPT:
JUNE 7, 2013
AUTHOR: RICHARD YUKL, MD, FACS
SPEAKER 1:
Malika is a 28 year-old Pakistani woman who had lived with
her traditional family in a small village until she found a job in a garment factory
and moved to a large city. She began spending her weekends with new friends
talking, drinking alcohol, and trying street drugs as they could be found. Her
lifestyle, and the casual sex that went along with it, resulted in her becoming
pregnant. It was a difficult pregnancy. She suffered multiple episodes of vaginal
bleeding throughout her pregnancy, and her baby boy was born four weeks early
with severe breathing problems because his lungs were not yet fully developed.
SPEAKER 2:
The World Health Organization identifies babies born
prematurely and with low birth weight as the tenth leading cause of death on
Earth, being responsible for more than one million deaths every year. Today, we
want to talk about premature births, their causes, and what you can do to help
insure a normal pregnancy.
SPEAKER 1:
What is a premature birth?
SPEAKER 2:
A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Prematurity is defined
as a birth that occurs more than three weeks early. Because the developing
infant has less time to mature inside its mother’s womb, it is at risk of being born
with serious medical problems. As was the case with Malika’s baby, there may
be breathing problems because the lungs have not yet fully developed. There is
also an increased risk of bleeding into baby’s brain at the time of birth, vision and
hearing problems, and even nerve-related problems such as cerebral palsy and
learning disabilities later in life.
SPEAKER 1:
If a pregnant woman is in danger of delivering prematurely,
can the birth be delayed?
SPEAKER 2:
If labor begins extremely early, doctors can try to delay it
using medicines to give the baby more time to fully develop. Unfortunately, the
medicines used to delay labor can cause the mother complications, so the doctor
must weigh those risks against the baby’s risks from being born prematurely. If
the mother is going into labor earlier than the 28th week of pregnancy, the doctor
will probably give some medicines. If the pregnancy has lasted more than 28
weeks, labor and delivery will probably be allowed to proceed without making
attempts to delay.
SPEAKER 1:
What causes premature births?
SPEAKER 2:
The specific cause of any particular premature birth is often
not clear, but risk factors involve things that interfere with the blood supply to the
mother’s womb. Major risk factors include such lifestyle and diet issues as
smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, using street drugs, poor nutrition and being
overweight. Also, untreated medical problems such as high blood pressure and
diabetes, or stressful life events such as the death of a loved one, can increase
the risk.
SPEAKER 1:
What can a woman who is pregnant do to lower her risk of
delivering a premature, low birthweight baby?
SPEAKER 2:
God allows women to participate in His work of creation by
giving them the ability to be pregnant. That is a high honor as well as an
enormous responsibility. If you are now pregnant, provide an environment for
your baby that ensures the best possible chance for it to develop normally. Living
a healthy lifestyle will help. Avoid dangerous activities such as smoking
cigarettes, drinking alcohol and using street drugs. If it is possible, see a doctor
who can monitor both your health and your baby’s health regularly. Also, eat
healthy foods rather than unhealthy snacks throughout your pregnancy. Get
treatment for any chronic health conditions you may have - diseases like
diabetes and high blood pressure. Finally, limit your stress as much as is
possible, and aside some quiet time every day to relax.
SPEAKER 1:
Many women who are pregnant worry that having sex during
pregnancy may harm their baby or cause a premature birth.
SPEAKER 2:
As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can
have sex as often as you like. The fluid that surrounds babies in the womb
protects them as they develop, so your sexual activity will not be hurtful to them.
As long as you are comfortable in the sexual positions you take, your baby
should not be harmed. It may be better not to have sex while pregnant, however,
if you have had unexplained vaginal bleeding, or if you are leaking fluid from your
vagina.
SPEAKER 1:
If a pregnant woman begins labor prematurely and risks
delivering a low birthweight baby, what should she do?
SPEKAER 2:
A low birthweight baby is defined as an infant weighing less
than five pounds or 2,500 grams at the time of its birth. Research shows that 1520% of low birthweight babies have some bleeding into their brain during
delivery, so her doctor will need to give the baby medicines to lower the risk of
developing a deadly bleed. High blood sugar in the first few hours of life is
another common problem in low birthweight babies, and the doctor must treat
that. The mother has an important part to play as well. It is very important that a
low birthweight baby be given the best possible nutrition following birth. Breast
milk is ideal for baby, so mom must breastfeed baby if she has adequate milk.
SPEAKER 1:
Summarize for us how a woman should live in order to avoid
a premature birth.
SPEAKER 2:
While all premature births cannot be avoided, you can follow
some sensible and helpful strategies. Avoid lifestyle evils such as smoking
cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using street drugs. Eat nutritious food, have your
chronic medical conditions treated, and limit your stress. Your baby will have a
better chance of developing normally.
SPEAKER 1:
Health Nuggets is written by Dr. Richard Yukl, a medical
doctor working in the United States. The medical views expressed in this
program are his and may differ for your particular health needs. If you need
medical advice, please consult a medical professional in your area.