preterm birth
Preterm Birth is the delivery of an infant before 37 completed weeks of gestation (259 days from the first day of the last menstrual period). It is subclassified as extreme preterm (fewer than 28 weeks), very preterm (28 to 32 weeks), moderate preterm (32 to 34 weeks), and late preterm (34 to 36 weeks and 6 days). Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with associated risks including cerebral palsy, developmental delay, respiratory distress syndrome, and long-term cardiometabolic complications.
Causes include spontaneous preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, cervical insufficiency, infection, multiple gestation, and medically indicated early delivery for maternal or fetal compromise. In Restorative Reproductive Medicine, preterm birth prevention is a structured clinical priority. The Prematurity Prevention Program, developed by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers at the Saint Paul VI Institute, combines serial hormone monitoring during pregnancy with bioidentical progesterone support when levels fall below established curve thresholds, with outcomes documented in the NaProTechnology literature.
RRM clinicians also address upstream risk factors directly: pre-pregnancy luteal phase optimization and treatment of underlying endometriosis are core preterm birth risk reduction strategies.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.