Can premature birth be genetic?
My baby’s father was born 3 months premature. I talked to his mom but she says she has no idea why he was premature and neither did the doctors.
His only other child was also born 3 months premature. Though I have my suspicians about this woman, the doctors claim there was no reason for his early birth.
Now I am 5 weeks preggie and this is my first. I am worried that there is a chance I could also go into labor prematurely, even though I plan to do everything my doc suggests to prevent this. I also wonder if this will automatically make my pregnancy "high risk" - not something I want, but I won’t lie to my doctor either.
You won’t be considered high-risk on the basis of the information you just gave us.
And you shouldn’t worry about preterm labor, either, until you have some symptoms.
They really and truly don’t know what causes premature birth. Multiples are likely to be born early. Infections can cause premature birth, as well as recreational drugs, smoking, very high stress levels, etc. But many many cases of premature birth are simply mysteries.
Don’t worry about it until you have to. Be honest with your doctor, and let him/her do the worrying for you.
I believe it is, or can be
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You won’t be considered high-risk on the basis of the information you just gave us.
And you shouldn’t worry about preterm labor, either, until you have some symptoms.
They really and truly don’t know what causes premature birth. Multiples are likely to be born early. Infections can cause premature birth, as well as recreational drugs, smoking, very high stress levels, etc. But many many cases of premature birth are simply mysteries.
Don’t worry about it until you have to. Be honest with your doctor, and let him/her do the worrying for you.
References :
Sometimes premature birth CAN be hereditary, but other than knowing THAT much, I don’t know much else about this subject. Check out March of Dimes website to learn more info!
All of my paternal (my father’s mother) Grandma’s 8 children were premature (but none were born before 34 weeks)…one of my cousins on my dad’s side had two premature babies (again, neither was born before 35 weeks) and then my other cousin on that side had her second child prematurely (at 33 weeks). None of these women know WHY though.
*I* had my daughter (my first and only child) at 27 weeks, due to me having developed severe preeclampsia. I had to have an emergency c-section. Preeclampsia is somewhat of a "mystery" disease that occurs in pregnancy…and although I know WHY my daughter was premature (because of the pre-e), we have no idea why I GOT pre-e. Although preeclampsia is often hereditary, there is no other known cases of it on either sides of my family or anywhere in my husband’s family.
If you’re at all concerned with this, please discuss it with your doctor…pay attention to every new symptom and every feeling you have…even the little things you think won’t matter. It’s better safe than sorry! Chances are you’ll be ok, but I think it’s great that you’re doing everything you can to have a healthy pregnancy and baby! I’m sure you’ll make a great mother. =)
Also, as a sidenote, please don’t just assume that his ex was doing something suspicious to cause the premature birth…I HATE when people look at me funny or ask me if I was on drugs! It’s so degrading and SO UNTRUE. It’s very hurtful to people when they have had to go through something as difficult as a premature birth and then have people insinuate that they’re suspicious about their intentions and actions during the pregnancy. I don’t know her though, but I just really get sad when people are wrongly accused.
Congrats on your pregnancy and good luck–I wish you a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and a healthy beautiful baby!
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Mommy of a 1 year old preemie