Term and premature

Many premature births could be avoided if the pregnant women could know some symptoms that are announcing the birth.  And also when she and her partner know the situations and habits of greatest risk for the fetus and decide to avoid them.  But, what do we call premature birth?  It is the birth that occurs when a woman gives birth three weeks or more earlier than the forecasted birth date.  This is estimated to be 40 weeks after fecundation, but it is also considered normal in a margin of 2 weeks before and after that date.  Why?  Because there is always the possibility that the probably birth date was estimated based on mistaken information.

The first data to be considered for that estimate is the date of the last menstruation, although it could be a little uncertain when it is not exactly remembered, or a bleeding during the pregnancy could have been mistaken with menstruation.

Ultrasound and the obstetrician’s analysis have a more certain character, but we are always referring to indirect methods.  The true gestation age can only be determined after the baby’s birth through a physical and neurological exam.

If children don’t rest and have a deep sleep, they can’t truly learn.