Premature birth is the leading cause of death worldwide among children under the age of five, with an astounding 15 million babies being born prematurely worldwide every year.
More than one million of these babies die and others face serious lifelong health issues that affect the brain, lungs, hearing and vision.
Pre-term birth does not discriminate and happens to everyone, irrespective of the country they live in, their culture or socioeconomic status.
Despite the trauma it causes for families, it also causes financial stress owing to the medical expenses involved.
In South Africa, neonatal facilities at hospitals are overcrowded.
For example, the neonatal intensive care unit at the Groote Schuur Hospital reports a frequent occupancy rate of 120% as opposed to the desired 80% occupation rate.
This type of overcrowding may lead to an increased risk of infection and further complications for these babies.
Getting educated and raising awareness of pre-term birth is the first step to defeating it.
Expectant moms should be aware of information related to medical conditions which could result in pre-term labour and educate themselves on the signs of early labour.
It is critical to consult with a midwife or obstetrician as pre-term labour can be halted in many instances.
Additionally, expectant moms should also look after themselves during pregnancy by:
• Having regular, sound antenatal care at the recommended stages of pregnancy.
• Managing weight gain, around 12kg is the average over the course of pregnancy.
The public can support World Prematurity Day on Saturday by wearing purple and encourage friends and families to do the same.
Paint your social media pages purple and share with friends and family to spread the word.
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