Is premature birth hereditary?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Premature birth is not hereditary. There are many causes of premature birth, including reasons associated with the pregnant woman herself, such as hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy, as well as concurrent conditions like chronic nephritis and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to premature birth. Additionally, premature birth can be caused by a relaxed cervix, poor uterine development, congenital uterine malformations, and uterine fibroids. Furthermore, trauma to the abdomen during pregnancy, long-distance and prolonged travel, fatigue, and excessive emotional fluctuations can also lead to premature birth. Therefore, these factors related to premature birth are not associated with genetics.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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What should I do if a premature baby has poor gastrointestinal health?

In the process of premature birth, due to the incomplete development of various organs and the nervous system, a series of complications may occur in various systems. If there is currently gastrointestinal discomfort after premature birth, it still needs to be adjusted in many aspects. Firstly, during the feeding process, it is recommended to pay attention to the feeding scale of the formula, and it is also necessary to maintain the cleanliness of bottle feeding. If frequent diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions occur, some probiotics for the intestines can be applied for adjustment, or some antidiarrheal medications can be used for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Zhao Li Li
Obstetrics
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Causes of Premature Birth

Generally, there are many reasons that can cause symptoms of preterm birth. Normally, due to reasons such as cervical dilation, or the occurrence of regular abdominal pain, preterm labor may be induced. In some cases, long-term vaginal inflammatory conditions can lead to premature rupture of membranes, or cervical canal dilation may also cause preterm birth. If symptoms of preterm birth occur at present, it is necessary to actively suppress contractions, protect the fetus, and provide symptomatic treatment. If this is ineffective, it is advisable to actively prepare for rescuing and caring for the newborn.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Causes of Premature Birth

There are many causes of preterm birth, such as cervical loosening during pregnancy, gynecological inflammations, underdeveloped uterus, congenital uterine malformations, and uterine fibroids, as well as pregnancy-related hypertension and diabetes, which can also lead to preterm labor. Additionally, carrying twins can increase uterine tension and potentially cause preterm birth. Other factors include long-distance travel, fatigue, emotional fluctuations, family relocation, abdominal trauma, prolonged standing, high psychological stress, advanced maternal age, and placental abruption during pregnancy, all of which can contribute to the occurrence of preterm birth.

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Written by Liu Wei Jie
Obstetrics
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Is a posterior placenta more likely to lead to premature birth?

The placenta is divided into anterior and posterior walls, with the posterior wall being a normal location for the placenta, which is unrelated [to preterm birth]. Generally, there is a hereditary tendency for preterm birth, and it is more likely to occur in individuals with certain physical constitutions or in cases of twin pregnancies. Additionally, people with gestational diabetes are also prone to preterm birth. Therefore, the posterior wall of the placenta has no correlation with preterm birth. Conditions like placenta previa or premature placental detachment are placental positions that can lead to preterm birth issues, and some people may experience preterm birth under these circumstances.

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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Preterm labor signs

Premature birth refers to delivery between 28 to 36 weeks plus 6 days of pregnancy. Due to the lower body weight and immature organ development of the fetus, premature birth can lead to decreased survival rates and increased morbidity in newborns. The signs of impending premature birth include the following aspects: First, the occurrence of regular contractions, which are the most common sign of premature birth. If intermittent lower abdominal pain occurs, it should be taken seriously, and fetal heart rate monitoring may be necessary for assessment. Second, the appearance of blood in the vaginal discharge often indicates that the fetal presenting part is descending, which is also a sign of premature birth. Third, a physical examination may reveal shortening of the cervical canal and dilation of the cervix, suggesting the possibility of premature birth. When these conditions occur, they should be taken seriously, and medication may be necessary for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)