The parliamentary spokesperson for Podemos, whom we saw a few days ago talking about motherhood on a television program, has just prematurely given birth to Leo and Manuel, the twins she was expecting for September-October. They were born at six months (approximately 28 weeks gestation), when the normal length of pregnancy is 40 weeks.
The delivery took place at nine in the morning today in a Madrid hospital and the situation of the children is “delicate”, since they are under observation waiting for their evolution.
Very premature babies
Every year 15 million premature babies are born in the world. Births that occur between weeks 37 and 42 of gestation are considered full term, those that occur before week 37 are considered premature, very premature those that occur between weeks 28 and 32 and extreme premature or large premature those that They arrive in the world between weeks 22 and 28 of gestation.
Each week in the womb is essential for the development of babies, since children born prematurely do not have their organs fully developed and weigh less, and therefore are exposed to more complications .
Causes of premature births
There is no single cause that triggers preterm births and any pregnant woman can have a premature delivery, although there are several other factors that could be associated, mainly:
- Maternal illnesses before and during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or eclapsis
- History of preterm birth or repeat abortion
- Uterine malformation
- Infections in pregnancy
- Having a multiple pregnancy
- Mother’s stress
According to a 2010 study by Anhui Medical University, China published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , experiencing stressful experiences early in pregnancy can lead to the birth of underweight or very premature children.
The increase in the production of certain hormones associated with stress and depression would play a significant role in triggering labor.
Complications of premature babies
Their low weight and their still immature organs, especially the lungs, means that babies born before term are exposed to more complications than those born full term, such as:
- Respiratory problems : such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), apnea of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pneumonia, due to the immaturity of the lungs.
- Anemia : Premature babies are at high risk for lower levels of red blood cells.
- Inability to regulate body temperature : They are born with little body fat and immature skin, which makes it difficult to maintain body heat.
- Retinopathy : affects most premature babies between 24 to 26 weeks ‘gestation, but rarely affects them beyond 33 to 34 weeks’ gestation.
- Intraventricular hemorrhage : Babies born before 34 weeks have a higher risk of bleeding in the brain.
- Greater vulnerability to infections , especially necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease that causes the destruction of parts of the intestine.
- Immature GI and Digestive System : Your digestive system is still immature to absorb nutrients, so you are fed intravenously
- Jaundice – a condition characterized by high levels of bilirubin in the blood.
We hope that Irene Montero’s premature babies will evolve favorably in the coming days and that in a few weeks we can give the news that they are already at home with their parents. And of course, all our support to parents , because when your baby is born premature and nothing is as you planned, the uncertainty is very great.
In Babies and more | What is a preterm delivery? Can it be prevented?
