Not every case of preterm delivery is stoppable, but with a little attention during pregnancy, a lot of them can be prevented. The very first and most crucial action is attending antenatal check-ups regularly. There are many expectant mothers who do not go for the check-up thinking that everything is alright, but if the problems like high blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes or infections are detected at an early stage, they can be treated and that way the birth can be prevented from happening too early.

Nutrition is of utmost importance. Having a diet that is well-balanced and that consists of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in adequate quantities plus iron and folic acid will assure the baby’s healthy development. Do not disregard iron supplements—anaemia is one of the most common causes of preterm birth in India. It is also essential to drink enough water, even more so when the weather is hot.

Stress management is one of the main aspects to be considered. High stress, overdoing it with work and not taking enough rest can all cause a woman to have early contractions and emotional strain is one of the factors too. Very small gestures like taking a short break, having a light walk, listening to music or sharing a word with someone available, can all help in keeping your calm.

Pregnant Women should also say no to smoking, drinking and that includes second-hand smoke exposure. All these hazards do is cut down the oxygen supply to the baby and make the chances of delivery before time higher. In case of a mother having a history of preterm birth, she m ust let the physician know early for possibly a dditional monitoring or special injections to be planned. Spacing pregnancies is another vital measure—at least 18 months of waiting between the two pregnancies is the minimum requirement for the body to fully recover. Finally, it’s always advisable to not ignore symptoms like chronic backache, fluid discharge, cramping, or light bleeding. Sometimes just getting checked can manage to stop preterm labour.

(The writer is a consultant – Neonatologist & Paediatrician, Rainbow Children’s Hospital)