Pre-term birth has become quite prevalent worldwide. The number of babies delivered before 37 weeks is rising exponentially, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications. These babies are kept in the maternity hospital in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, longer than usual.
More than half of the babies born pre-term die or suffer from various health conditions, such as breathing difficulties, cerebral palsy, slow development, and hearing & vision problems. A new study shows that progesterone in a female’s body can mitigate the risk of pre-term birth. Progesterone therapy is also considered a viable treatment for women with a short cervix (space between the uterus and vagina).
Progesterone Treatment
Hormone progesterone might be effective for people with a short cervix, as it decreases the risk of pre-term birth due to the smaller space between your uterus and vagina. However, there’s no evidence that progesterone treatment can help women with other issues.
A lot of factors can trigger pre-term delivery. This hormonal treatment may not work for those factors. So, it’s important that you discuss your condition and goals with the best gynecologist in Vashi, Navi Mumbai to understand its risks and benefits.
New Research on Progesterone and Premature Birth Connection
The exact cause of pre-term birth is still not known, although it’s believed that once a woman delivers a baby before the due date, there’s a chance they might experience another pre-term birth.
Research in 2003 showed that women with a history of pre-term birth were 34% less likely to deliver another baby before 37 weeks if they were given progesterone injections. Another study showed that progesterone injections may not completely eliminate the risk of pre-term birth, but can lead to gestational diabetes.
There’s limited research regarding the connection between progesterone and pre-term birth. While it may lower the risk of another premature delivery, the effects are not the same for every woman. So, what does this research mean for women who have had pre-term deliveries in the past?
Women with a History of Pre-term Birth
Progesterone has long been used to decrease the risk of miscarriage in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Although your body produces this hormone naturally, it can be given as a supplement to foster healthy pregnancy. Note that the above studies have nothing to do with the vaginal progesterone treatment given to women with a short cervix and a history of pre-term birth. As mentioned before, those with a short cervix are at an increased risk of premature delivery.
If you have had a premature delivery once and you are stressed about planning another pregnancy because of the high risk of complications, remember that it’s still absolutely possible to have normal pregnancies in the future. Just because your past experience was not as expected doesn’t mean all your pregnancies will result in pre-term birth. It’s best to plan your pregnancy and discuss your health goals with a gynecologist to avoid complications. You can also consider progesterone supplements or injections if your doctor believes it’s safe for your health.
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