Premature Birth Risks



What Are Premature Birth Risks?

There are premature birth risks women should know about during pregnancy. What exactly are the risk factors for premature birth? Several risks exist including some not yet identified by researchers.

Consider these premature birth risks that can place women at risk of premature labor or birth: 

  • Having twins and triplet pregnancies may come with a higher risk for premature birth.
  • Using assisted reproductive technology is also linked to a higher risk for preterm labor.
  • Pregnant women with reproductive organ abnormalities, like a short cervix, have a higher risk of premature birth and labor than women who do not have those conditions.

Some medical issues that occur during pregnancy place women at a higher risk for premature birth:

  • Sexually-transmitted infections
  • Vaginals infections like trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis
  • High blood pressure
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Pregnancy from in vitro fertilization
  • Diabetes or high blood sugar
  • Blood clotting issues
  • Obese or underweight before pregnancy

Other medical factors may increase the risk for premature birth/labor:

  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Drug usage
  • Domestic violence like physical, sexual assault and emotional abuse
  • Lack of health care during pregnancy
  • Stress

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