Premature birth is a very serious health problem. It is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five worldwide. Babies born too early may have more health issues than babies born on time, and may face long-term health problems that affect the brain, the lungs, hearing or vision.

World Prematurity Day on November 17 raises awareness of this serious health crisis.

A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, that is, born before complete maturity.

Premature babies are born before their bodies and organ systems have completely matured. These babies are often small, with low birthweight (less than 2,500 grams or 5 lbs 8 oz.), and they may need help breathing, eating, fighting infection, and staying warm. Very premature babies, those born before 28 weeks, are especially vulnerable. Many of their organs may not be ready for life outside the mother’s uterus and may be too immature to function well.

Some maternal causes include high blood pressure of pregnancy, Chronic medical illness such as heart or kidney disease, Infection like urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, infections of the foetal/placental tissues, drugs, Abnormal structure of the uterus, Cervical incompetence and abnormalities in placenta.

Prenatal care is a key factor in preventing preterm births and low birthweight babies. At prenatal visits, the health of both mother and foetus can be checked. Because maternal nutrition and weight gain are linked with foetal weight gain and birthweight, eating a healthy diet and gaining weight in pregnancy are essential. Prenatal care is also important in identifying problems and lifestyles that can increase the risks for preterm labor and birth.

Some ways to help prevent prematurity and to provide the best care for premature babies may include the following:

  • Identifying mothers at risk for preterm labour
  • Prenatal education of the symptoms of preterm labour
  • Avoiding heavy or repetitive work or standing for long periods of time that can increase the risk of preterm labour
  • Early identification and treatment of preterm labour

Our mother and child care department at Wockhardt Hospital services provides comprehensive services ranging from health promotion to clinical excellence in maternity care and gynaecology. Our aim is to deliver compassionate world class care with the latest technology in a family centred environment.

Our Maternity services include qualified dedicated nursing staff under the guidance of experienced renowned team of obstetricians and gynaecologists, to monitor mothers and their new-borns. The department is supported by a round a clock labour room facility and 24 transport ambulance services can be availed.

The Highlights of Maternity services include: preconception assessment, comprehensive antenatal, prenatal care right up to delivery of the child (postnatal care) services all under one roof. We are also supported by tertiary level neonatal intensive care services and painless labour facilities. Our high risk delivery team at Wockhardt Hospital Mira Road and Nashik are adequately trained to ensure a safe delivery for patients requiring critical management of high risk cases.

Our medical experts provide an integrated treatment approach for children, this includes outpatient, in -patient services, Paediatric and neonatal intensive care services, Paediatric surgery and paediatric/neonatal re-habitation. We specialise in managing high risk children successfully. Our department is supported by a Paediatric Intensive care unit, fully equipped and monitored to cater to children with serious illnesses and trauma cases. Our critical care team provides the basic care in accordance with a super-speciality team of doctors.

Our state of the art fully equipped, Neonatal intensive care unit is headed by a highly experienced neonatologist and resident doctors to manage critically ill new-born cases 24*7 requiring constant monitoring and a multidisciplinary (medical and surgical) management. The ranges of services include incubatory support, ventilators, phototherapy, surfactant administration, parenteral nutrition, blood investigations and exchange transfusion all under one roof. The backbone of NICU facility is our compassionate nursing services who are highly experienced in managing all types of cases.