November is Prematurity Awareness Month!

Before I had a preemie, I never thought that having a preemie could happen to me. I thought only women who do drugs, smoke, don't get pre-natal care, or women who are older, carrying multiples or are over-weight were at risk for having a preemie. It never crossed my mind that someone like me - someone who is in good health, who takes pre-natal vitamins, who has smoked less than 10 cigarettes in my whole life, who hardly ever drinks and certainly never while pregnant, and gets good pre-natal care - how could I give birth early.

Well, the sad truth is that ANYONE could give birth pre-term. Pre-term is anything before 37 weeks. And even some 37 weekers have issues. In fact 1 in 8 babies will be born pre-term. 1 in 8!

This is from the March of Dimes:

Why Women Deliver Early

In nearly 40 percent of premature births, the cause is unknown. However, researchers have made some progress in learning the causes of prematurity. Studies suggest that there may be four main routes leading to spontaneous premature labor.

Infections/Inflammation. Studies suggest that premature labor is often triggered by the body's natural immune response to certain bacterial infections, such as those involving the genital and urinary tracts and fetal membranes. Even infections far away from the reproductive organs, such as periodontal disease, may contribute to premature delivery.

Maternal or fetal stress. Chronic psychosocial stress in the mother or physical stress (such as insufficient blood flow from the placenta) in the fetus appears to result in production of a stress-related hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH may stimulate production of a cascade of other hormones that trigger uterine contractions and premature delivery.

Bleeding. The uterus may bleed because of problems such as placental abruption (the placenta peels away, partially or almost completely, from the uterine wall before delivery). Bleeding triggers the release of various proteins involved in blood clotting, which also appear to stimulate uterine contractions.

Stretching. The uterus may become overstretched by the presence of two or more babies, excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, or uterine or placental abnormalities, leading to the release of chemicals that stimulate uterine contractions.

These four routes are not the only things to consider. Other factors, such as multiple pregnancy, inductions and cesarean sections, can also play a role. But knowledge about these four routes may help scientists develop more effective interventions that can halt the various chemical cascades that lead to premature birth.

In our case is was cause #3 - bleeding. I bled huge amounts on and off for 11 days before it was determined that for the safety of both Greyson and myself he had to be delivered. It turned out that nearly 20% of our placenta had already sheered off. I developed Placenta Previa. I had none of the risk factors for PP - just bad luck. That's what it was, there was nothing I could have done to prevent what happened. It's taken a long time to let go of the guilt that goes along with having a preemie. But it just happens.

All that to say this. Anyone could have a preemie. Be thankful for every single day/week you are pregnant. 40 weeks - we all deserve 40 weeks. I'm praying I get all 40 this time.