Opinion
Ghana commemorated World Prematurity Day with the revelation that 140,000 children are born premature in Ghana annually.
Out of that number, 29,000 die per year.
Globally, out of 2.9 million newborn deaths reported annually, deaths from complications of preterm births account for more than 1 million of these deaths.
A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, measured from the first day of the last period (38 weeks after fertilisation).
Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy are called premature babies.
But what are the causes of premature babies?
It has been established that an overstretching of the womb that occurs in the case of twin or triple pregnancies is thought to increase the risk of premature labour.
It has been recognised that mothers under 20 or over 35 years old have a slightly higher risk of preterm labour.
In addition, if the baby is not thriving in the womb, for example, if the placental blood supply is impaired or there is evidence of growth retardation, then this can lead to premature birth.
The lifestyle of a pregnant woman can increase the risk of having a premature baby. For example, smoking, using recreational drugs, having a high caffeine intake, having a poor diet or being underweight, and engaging in over-strenuous physical activity.
Experts say women who have had surgery on their cervix may have suffered damage to the opening of the womb and that can cause the cervix to open too soon in pregnancy, resulting in premature labour.
One of the best and easiest ways to reduce your risk of preterm labour is to see your healthcare practitioner as soon as you know you're pregnant or are going to try to get pregnant.
Many pregnant women think they should skip the dentist during pregnancy, but regular cleanings may help prevent preterm delivery.
It's believed that the same chain of events initiated by a uterine infection can occur if you have a dental condition such as gum disease that results in tissues that begin to separate from the teeth, become infected, and even break down.
The average woman should put on 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Gain too much and you up your odds of complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which increases preterm labour risk.
Studies have revealed that pregnant women who are depressed or anxious have a twofold increase of preterm birth.
Antidepressants used to treat these conditions, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, may be associated with a slightly higher risk of preterm delivery.
While medical strides in preventing and reversing the course of preterm labour have been slow, our ability to care for premature babies is critical to the survival of the babies.