{"id":44787,"date":"2025-02-28T15:07:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T07:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/?post_type=health-article&#038;p=44787"},"modified":"2025-05-18T17:26:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T09:26:19","slug":"preterm-birth-prevention","status":"publish","type":"health-article","link":"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/health-articles\/preterm-birth-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"Preterm Birth Prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"44787\" class=\"elementor elementor-44787\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee070d0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ee070d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b444e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b444e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Every year in Malaysia, over 60,000 babies make their entrance into the world earlier than expected.<\/p><p>While this statistic might sound alarming, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi Thandayathany says that there is hope.<\/p><p>\u201cSome reasons for preterm birth can be prevented with the right knowledge and care,\u201d she tells us.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4f418c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b4f418c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-855cbe1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"855cbe1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic01\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Preterm Birth<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94acff4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94acff4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Preterm birth can occur between the 22nd and 37th week of pregnancy, affecting approximately 12.3% of births in Malaysia.<\/li><li>It\u2019s not just a minor inconvenience; it\u2019s actually the second leading cause of death in children under five.<\/li><li>The earlier a baby arrives, the higher the risks. Those born extremely preterm (born on the 28th week or earlier) who survive often face long-term neurodevelopmental challenges.<\/li><li>\u201cPrevention of extremely preterm of should be the ultimate goal as the morbidity in this group is the highest,\u201d says Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4579d8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4579d8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea43627 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ea43627\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When we say that extremely preterm babies have the highest morbidity, what this means is that these babies are at a much higher risk of health complications. These complications could include lung issues, infections, problems with brain development, and more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d86a30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2d86a30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f53b31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f53b31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic02\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are the Risk Factors That Can Cause a Baby to Be Born Prematurely?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc67d3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc67d3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>According to Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi, several factors can increase a woman\u2019s chances of experiencing preterm delivery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c285466 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c285466\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Medical Conditions<\/strong><\/h4><p>These play a significant role, accounting for 20% of preterm deliveries.<\/p><p>Common conditions linked to preterm birth include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>High blood pressure that can lead to severe pre-eclampsia<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Poorly controlled diabetes<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Connective tissue diseases<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Recurring urinary tract and vaginal infections<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Additionally,\u00a0<strong>twin pregnancies<\/strong>\u00a0could be a risk factor.<\/p><p>\u201cWith the increment of fertility treatment in our country, we do have more mothers pregnant with twins and this is another factor for preterm birth,\u201d says Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c60080 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7c60080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44813\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35c56f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"35c56f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f8b818 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f8b818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA woman is also considered high-risk if she has a history of spontaneous preterm births, has undergone prophylactic cervical cerclage in the past, and has abnormalities in the shape and structure of her womb.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d92a77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"5d92a77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80cf5ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80cf5ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Lifestyle Choices<\/strong><\/h4><p><strong>Smoking<\/strong><\/p><ul><li>This includes passive smoking or inhalation of cigarette smoke.<\/li><li>\u201cIt is postulated that nicotine in the cigarettes can cause the narrowing or constriction of the blood vessels,\u201d Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi explains further.<\/li><li>\u201cThis will reduce the oxygen supply to the foetus while increasing the levels of the carbon monoxide reaching the fetus,\u201d she adds.<\/li><li><strong>Smoking cessation can reduce the risk by as much as 20%.<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Weight<\/strong><\/p><p>Both\u00a0<strong>being underweight and obese<\/strong>\u00a0can complicate matters, as both undernourished mothers and those carrying excess weight face higher risks due to weight-associated health conditions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13501d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"13501d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img2-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44814\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89d19c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"89d19c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f6411c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f6411c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic03\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Minimize the Risk of Preterm Birth<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3894919 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3894919\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>#1 Plan Early<\/strong><\/h4><ul><li>Don\u2019t wait until you\u2019re pregnant to start thinking about prevention.<\/li><li>Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi emphasizes the importance of\u00a0<strong>pre-pregnancy counselling<\/strong>\u00a0with an obstetrician.<\/li><li>Such counselling will allow you to optimize the management of existing medical conditions and adjust medications to safer alternatives before conception.<\/li><\/ul><h4><strong>#2 Medical Interventions That Can Make a Difference<\/strong><\/h4><p>For high-risk cases, there are some proven solutions, such as:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Progesterone supplements<\/strong>, which are available as tablets to be taken orally or inserts that can be placed in the vagina (progesterone vaginal).<\/li><li><strong>Cervical cerclage<\/strong>, a surgical procedure for women with multiple previous preterm births or cervical shortening. This surgery helps to keep a weakened cervix closed during pregnancy, thus preventing premature birth.<\/li><li><strong>Emergency rescue cervical cerclage<\/strong>\u00a0in cases when the pregnant woman experiences cervical dilation or foetal membrane exposure.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a28ea3c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a28ea3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dde4d08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dde4d08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLike most surgeries, cervical cerclage carries some risks of complications such as bleeding, infection, and ironically, preterm labour. As such, your doctor will discuss with you and your partner thoroughly about the advantages and drawbacks of this surgery so that you can make an educated decision that will be best for you and the child you are carrying.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3414889 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3414889\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42586d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42586d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>#3 What You Can Do<\/strong><\/h4><ul><li>Keep up with your prenatal checkup appointments, as this will allow your obstetrician to monitor both your and your baby\u2019s well-being.<\/li><li>Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle (diet and physical activity) is paramount for a healthy pregnancy.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c76eeb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c76eeb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img3-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44815\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img3.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e4e0a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9e4e0a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdd94f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fdd94f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic04\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Are Preterm Birth Prevention Workshops a Game-Changer?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aac9739 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aac9739\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Want to take your prevention strategy to the next level?<\/p><p>Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi reveals that many hospitals hold\u00a0<strong>specialized workshops<\/strong>\u00a0that offer comprehensive support, covering:<\/p><ul><li>Healthy lifestyle guidelines<\/li><li>Medical condition management<\/li><li>Screening methods for preterm birth<\/li><li>Early warning signs of preterm labor<\/li><li>Importance of antenatal care<\/li><li>Pregnancy-safe exercises<\/li><\/ul><p>These workshops are led by a team of healthcare professionals including obstetricians, dieticians, physiotherapists, and midwives.<\/p><p>They provide both physical and emotional support. Unlike the potentially misleading information found on social media, these sessions offer expert guidance you can trust.<\/p><h4><strong>Who Should Consider Attending These Workshops?<\/strong><\/h4><ul><li>\u201c<strong>All women planning for pregnancy<\/strong>\u00a0are encouraged to join, not just pregnant mothers,\u201d says Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi.<\/li><li>Their partner should also attend.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35fd62c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"35fd62c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8706703 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8706703\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"subtopic05\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Bottom Line<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f870f49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f870f49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>While the prospect of preterm birth might seem scary, Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi assures us that knowledge is power.<\/li><li>By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, many cases can be prevented.<\/li><\/ul><p>\u201cDon\u2019t wait until it\u2019s too late! Speak with your healthcare provider about your personal risk factors and prevention strategy today,\u201d urges Datin Dr Vijayaletchumi.<\/p><p>She adds: \u201cRemember: A healthy pregnancy journey isn\u2019t just about the mother.\u00a0<strong>Her partner should be actively involved in prevention education too.<\/strong>\u00a0Together, the both of them can significantly improve the chances of carrying their precious baby to full term.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4620fc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4620fc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img4-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44816\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.columbiaasia.com\/malaysia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/HA-Preterm-Birth-Prevention-img4.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-625b47b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"625b47b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd5fadd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd5fadd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">This article first appeared in<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/malaysia.healthtoday.net\/shocking-truth-12-3-malaysian-babies-born-too-early-heres-what-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HealthToday, 04 February 2025<\/a><\/em>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year in Malaysia, over 60,000 babies make their entrance into the world earlier than expected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44812,"template":"","topic":[158,101],"language":[137],"class_list":["post-44787","health-article","type-health-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-obstetrics-gynecology","topic-women","language-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.0 - 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