Preterm birth is the birth of an infant before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Studies show that premature babies experience many challenges because they need special care to help them develop outside the womb. For mothers, preterm delivery can take a toll on their emotional and physical well-being. These mothers also constantly worry about their preterm babies’ health status. 

If you are a mother who had preterm labor, you want to seek a physical therapist’s intervention. At Suarez Physical Therapy in Las Vegas, we help mothers and their infants thrive after a premature birth. Our physical therapy services are comprehensive enough to help your baby grow, develop, and strengthen. We also offer guidance and care after experiencing the physical and emotional challenges that premature delivery causes.

The Meaning of Infant Prematurity

Also called preterm birth, infant prematurity is a baby born before it completes 37 weeks in the womb. The gestation period matters a lot regarding the health outcomes of the mother and her baby during birth. For babies born too early, their early days of life are a medical challenge because their organs are not fully developed.

Infant prematurity occurs often in the US in varying degrees. The risks and needs of a preterm infant are different because they depend on how early the labor occurs.

Different Types Of Premature Birth

Infant prematurity is split into four categories. These categories are characterized by how early the preterm birth was. They include:

  1. Late preterm—this comprises infants between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Even though babies born between the weeks mentioned earlier are considered preterm, their organs are more developed than babies born earlier. However, they may still have problems with breathing, feeding, and maintaining body temperature.
  2. Moderately preterm—these babies are born earlier than late preterm ones. Moderately preterm babies are born between 32 and 34 weeks. Research shows that their lungs and digestive systems are still underdeveloped. Therefore, these infants need medical help with breathing and feeding.
  3. Very preterm—this includes infants born before 32 weeks. Very preterm births face a significant risk for serious health problems. These babies need intensive medical care to survive and thrive. Also, their organs are still underdeveloped, making them susceptible to problems, including respiratory issues and infections.
  4. Extremely preterm—this type of birth occurs before 25 weeks and is the most severe category. Infants born this early suffer long-term developmental delays or health issues. However, extremely preterm births now have higher survival rates thanks to advancements in neonatal care. However, they still need intensive care support in their early months.

Possible Causes of Prematurity

Prematurity is a complex problem with many possible causes that can be difficult to pinpoint. Sometimes, a mother goes into labor early for no reason at all. However, some factors increase the risk of premature birth. These include:

  1. Infections. Infections are among the most common causes, especially those of the reproductive system. These infections could trigger premature contractions that inflame the uterine lining or the fetal membranes.
  2. Chronic health issues. Researchers link preterm labor to chronic health conditions in the mother, including high blood pressure and diabetes. For these reasons, it could be difficult for the mother to carry the pregnancy to full term.
  3. Carrying twins or triplets. Being pregnant with twins or triplets stretches the uterus. The strength of the uterine wall differs from woman to woman. If you have a weak or smaller uterus and happen to conceive multiple babies in a single pregnancy, your uterus could become overstretched and trigger early labor.
  4. Placenta issues, such as placental abruption or previa, can trigger early labor. Abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus, while previa occurs when the placenta covers the cervix.
  5. Substance abuse and smoking. Being a smoker or abusing substances during pregnancy increases the risk of your preterm birth.
  6. A lot of stress during your pregnancy also causes infant prematurity.

Signs and Symptoms

In Mothers

Early intervention can save the life of an unborn baby. Therefore, you want to look for signs of preterm labor as a mother. You can notice subtle physical changes long before actual labor begins. Common signs include the following:

  • Persistent back pain. This usually occurs around the lower back. Some mothers report that the pain does not ease even after rest.
  • Cramping or contractions. Mothers can feel cramping or contractions, like menstrual cramping. These could happen at regular intervals and become stronger.
  • Pelvic pressur You might feel the baby exerting pressure on your pelvic floor as if it is pushing down. In some cases, this pressure is accompanied by changes in the cervix, such as contractions or thinning. If you attend prenatal clinics, your healthcare provider should notice this problem.
  • An early water break. You could notice a gush or trickle of fluid.

Not all mothers have the same symptoms. Also, sometimes, preterm labor can happen suddenly without noticeable symptoms. Because of this, it is advisable that throughout pregnancy, you should remain vigilant and communicate regularly with your healthcare provider to keep yourself and your baby safe.

In Infants

Distinct signs and symptoms of incomplete development are common in premature infants, especially those born very early. One of the most noticeable features is their small size. Full-term infants are much heavier and larger than premature babies, while preterm babies are often much lighter, weighing less than 5 pounds.

The skin of preterm infants is thin and appears translucent. You can see veins beneath the surface. This condition makes the babies vulnerable as their fat stores under the skin are underdeveloped. The infants look frail and cannot maintain body heat. They usually need special care to help regulate their temperature.

It is common to notice breathing difficulties in preterm babies because they have underdeveloped lungs. You can see the rapid breathing, hear grunting sounds, and spells of no breathing (apnea). Due to these breathing issues, premature infants are placed in the NICU. Premature infants also have difficulty gaining weight and growing because they cannot eat well, and they may have difficulty coordinating sucking and swallowing reflexes.

In the most severe cases, preterm infants can develop jaundice. This condition is the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to an underdeveloped liver. Also, these babies suffer low immunity and are more susceptible to infection.

Risk Factors For Premature Birth

Signs of premature birth rarely show, but certain factors significantly increase the risk.

For example, if you expect twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples, your chances of preterm delivery increase. More than one baby is an extra strain on your body and can often cause early labor.

If you have had a premature birth before, you are more likely to do so again in future pregnancies. Complications in pregnancy, such as infections or problems with the cervix or placenta, can also bring on early labor.

Chronic complications like diabetes and high blood pressure can complicate pregnancy and affect the timing of your delivery. Age is another risk factor for premature birth. If you are under 17 or over 35, you may be more likely to have complications with your pregnancy, such as early labor. However, many women who have risk factors still give birth to healthy, full-term babies.

Diagnosing Infant Prematurity

Symptoms you experience during pregnancy are often the first clue that you may have preterm labor or an impending premature birth. Your healthcare provider could perform a series of tests if you notice signs of preterm labor, such as unusual contractions or a feeling of pelvic pressure, to confirm that your labor is premature.

The doctor can examine your cervix for thinning (effacement) or dilation. Dilation can suggest that your body is preparing for early labor.

An ultrasound can show the length of the cervix. A short cervix suggests a higher risk of preterm birth. The baby’s size, position, and overall health are essential things ultrasound can tell your doctor about.

Occasionally, your doctor can perform a test for fetal fibronectin, a glue type of protein between the fetal sac and the uterine lining. The presence of this protein in cervical or vaginal secretions between 22 and 34 weeks of pregnancy may indicate that preterm labor is likely.

If you are cramping, the doctor can use electronic fetal monitoring to monitor uterine activity and determine if contractions are frequent or intense enough to trigger early labor.

The combination of physical exams, imaging, and lab tests can help confirm that preterm labor is present. If not, appropriate steps can be taken to delay delivery. With early diagnosis, your doctor can notice preterm birth symptoms for a better chance of saving your baby’s life.

How a Paediatric/ Neonatal Physical Therapist Can Help

Babies who are at risk for premature birth or developmental issues may start physical therapy before birth. Physical therapists help you lower risk factors for preterm birth, for example, by educating you and ensuring you are physically ready for birth.

Support for Expectant Mothers

A pediatric physical therapist can offer expert insight into pregnancy's physical and emotional demands. They help you:

  • Prepare physically for labor and delivery.
  • Minimize stress on muscles and joints.
  • Create an environment that promotes optimal fetal development.

A physical therapist can relieve the discomfort associated with pregnancy, such as lower back pain or muscle fatigue, through gentle, carefully tailored exercises and stretches.

A therapist also advises on how to maintain your posture and perform your activities of daily living without straining your body. They advise how you walk, get in and out of a car, and carry yourself.  These will help reduce physical discomfort,  prevent potential injuries, and promote balance and stability.

If you have risk factors like premature births or gestational diabetes, a physical therapist should be part of your prenatal journey. Your therapist can give you exercises to improve circulation, keep your blood pressure healthy, and improve flexibility.

Helping Premature Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Premature babies encounter various challenges in their early days as they grow outside the womb. Neonatal physical therapy is needed in this delicate phase, as it helps your baby reach essential developmental milestones and prepares it for a healthier future.

The medical team works with the physical therapists in the NICU to evaluate your baby’s needs, watching for movement, posture, and response to the environment. Babies vary so much that even the smallest reactions, like a baby curling their fingers or shifting their head, can tell you something about their physical condition. With evaluations, therapists learn more about how your baby’s muscles, joints, and nervous system develop and how they can help support their development in these early stages.

The sounds, lights, and stimuli of the NICU are unfamiliar and can be overwhelming for a premature infant. Pediatric physical therapists provide your baby with a calming environment and help teach your baby how to adapt by using self-soothing techniques. Therapists use gentle touch and particular positioning techniques to assist your baby in settling and resting with the required comfort and security for development.

Motor skill development is another central focus of neonatal physical therapy. Basic movements, such as reaching, turning the head, or grasping an object, trigger larger milestones for a premature baby, including sitting up, crawling, and walking. A physical therapist may use soft toys, subtle positioning changes, and other gentle exercises to help your baby make these initial movements.

Physical therapy in the NICU also includes training you, the parent, to bond and help your baby grow physically. You may learn ways to hold, feed, and comfort your child throughout their development. NICU physical therapy lays the ground for lifelong health.

Encouraging Developmental Milestones

Physical therapy is a guiding hand that helps your baby feel confident and resilient as they reach each milestone. Your baby’s goal is to grow and develop naturally; a physical therapist aims to nurture and support that development. The physiotherapist helps your baby move, explore, and connect with the world around them in ways that encourage development.

Physical therapists help your baby develop core motor skills from the smallest actions. Each finger grasp, head lift, or leg kick may be simple for a young infant, but each is important for strengthening muscles and improving coordination. Therapists gently guide your baby through these actions to give them the physical support they need to build balance, coordination, and strength. No matter how tiny, every carefully planned movement is a building block to prepare your child for more advanced action, like crawling, standing, and walking.

Pediatric physiotherapists also work in their therapy sessions to increase sensory awareness. Premature babies do not have the luxury of time to explore the world via their senses. Therapists use soft fabrics, quiet music, and soft touches to help your child adjust to sensory input naturally and comfortably. Not only does this help to develop motor skills, but it strengthens your baby’s cognitive development by teaching them how the world works and how they fit into it.

Therapists adjust their approach to your baby's development as it progresses. For example, if your child is starting to crawl, therapists introduce exercises to strengthen arms and legs, balance, and coordination. As your baby starts to stand or take those first steps, therapy includes building stability, promoting muscle tone, and encouraging posture.

These efforts impact more than physical skills. Emotional growth and self-confidence come from your baby's accomplishment when reaching a new milestone, like rolling over, sitting up, or pulling themselves to stand. This sense of accomplishment often translates into other parts of life and a positive attitude for trying new things.

Empowering Mothers/Guardians through Physical Therapy

As a parent, the most challenging job is caring for a premature infant. During physiotherapy sessions, you participate in learning how to do gentle exercises, handling techniques, and calming methods to encourage your child’s comfort and well-being.

For example, when your therapist helps you see how to hold your baby in a way that keeps their fragile neck and spine supported, you acquire a practical skill and an extra bit of confidence. Small movements like helping your baby follow a toy with their eyes or gently stretching your baby’s arms and legs become part of a bigger picture of care that you can build into day-to-day interactions.

Physical therapists also help you see the milestones your baby will be working toward and help you recognize each subtle sign of growth and progress. Your physical therapist is available when challenges arise, such as when your baby’s progress stalls or a new hurdle is encountered. They also teach you to adapt exercises, add new routines, and adjust expectations.

Find a Las Vegas Physical Therapist Near Me

Infant prematurity creates serious health concerns for both the infant and its mother. If a baby does not reach 37 weeks in the uterus before birth, it could have underdeveloped organs. Preterm babies also face health risks as they grow, depending on their type of premature birth.

Many risk factors and causes could contribute to preterm births. Some preterm births occur without reason. You should always check for early labor signs like cramping and immediately seek medical attention. Pregnant women should also attend all prenatal appointments for early diagnosis and management.

If you notice signs of preterm birth, we at Suarez Physical Therapy in Las Vegas can help. We know the special needs of premature infants and their mothers. Need to talk? Contact us at 702-368-6778, and we will guide you through the challenges of infant prematurity with the experience and care you need.