Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. There are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age: extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks), very preterm (28 to 32 weeks), moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks). Babies may be a preterm because of spontaneous preterm labour or because there is a medical indication to plan an induction of labour or caesarean birth early. We direct our appeal to you to strengthen our efforts to prevent death.
Preterm birth occurs for a variety of reasons. Most preterm births happen spontaneously, but some are due to medical reasons such as infections, or other pregnancy complications that require early induction of labour or caesarean birth. Newborns are most vulnerable & least supported group. Our efforts to reduce neonatal mortality in rural Uganda are still unsuccessful, due to the weak campaigns that give less focus on programs concerned with the newborn in favor of programs supporting mothers
Preventing deaths and complications from preterm birth starts with a healthy pregnancy. WHO's antenatal care guidelines include key interventions to help prevent preterm birth, such as counselling on healthy diet, optimal nutrition, and tobacco and substance use; fetal measurements including use of early ultrasound to help determine gestational age and detect multiple pregnancies; and a minimum of 8 contacts with health professionals throughout pregnancy - starting before 12 weeks.
Through intervention project, we have been able to deliver specialized capacity building sessions for frontline health workers on advanced neonatal care, equip them with continuous mentorship to allow for mastery of the skills across the proficiency pathway. This is one of the approaches the project is taking on to accelerate the achievement of neonatal survival in the region. We ask your support to provide life-saving health care and give preterm babies the best chance of survival
