The rising cases of preterm births are becoming a major global health concern, with devastating consequences for newborns and their families.
At just 32 weeks pregnant, Nancy Winam went into early labour. Her blood pressure spiked dangerously, and her diabetes only made things worse. Doctors had no choice but to perform an emergency caesarean section.
When her baby was born, he was fragile and underweight, his tiny lungs too weak to function on their own. He was immediately placed in the nursery, hooked up to machines that worked tirelessly to keep him alive.
What should have been a moment of joy quickly turned into an agonising ordeal. Winam’s body, already weakened by pregnancy complications, refused to heal. Her appetite faded, making it difficult to follow the strict diet and medication required for her recovery. Each passing day drained her, both physically and emotionally.
“Just when I thought my situation was improving, my baby’s health took a turn for the worse. I longed to hold him close, to hold him in my arms and breastfeed him, but that simple act of motherhood remained out of reach. Instead, I could only watch him from behind the glass of the nursery.”
Her battle was far from over. The surgical incision refused to heal, leaving her with an open wound that made everything more terrifying. She hesitated to go too close, fearing that even the smallest contact could put her fragile baby at risk of infection. Helpless and heartbroken, all she could do was wait, hoping they would heal.
But her body continued to fail her. She was losing weight at an alarming rate, and her milk supply dwindled too, to almost nothing. The reality of having to rely on baby formula sank in, a decision she had desperately hoped to avoid.
“I had longed to breastfeed my baby, but my body wouldn’t allow it. Diabetes and weight loss made it nearly impossible. And the formula was so expensive on top of my medication costs; it felt like an unbearable burden.”
After nearly a month in the hospital, Winam and her baby were finally discharged. But relief never came. She was exhausted, her body frail, her skin pale and dry. Every step was painful, her cracked feet a reminder of the toll the ordeal had taken. Emotionally, she felt just as fragile. Though she had left the hospital, she knew the real battle had only just begun.
“The constant fear that my baby would develop an infection haunted me and my family day and night. Every cough, every slight change in his breathing sent waves of panic through me. The thought of not being able to care for him the way I had imagined, the way a mother should, was heartbreaking. I had to rely on others for even the simplest tasks, and that helplessness weighed heavily on me.”
On top of that, the cost of baby formula was overwhelming. It wasn’t just expensive; it felt like a financial strain we hadn’t prepared for. With every tin emptied, the reality of our new normal sank in. It took us a long time to adjust, not just emotionally but financially, as we struggled to balance medical bills, formula costs, and everyday expenses.
Preterm birth remains a crisis in Kenya, with approximately 193,000 babies born too soon each year—nearly 12% of all births. Tragically, 13,300 of these infants do not survive, while thousands more face lifelong health complications.
Premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, significantly increases the risk of infant mortality, long-term health complications, and developmental delays.
Babies born too soon face immediate risks such as breathing difficulties, infections, and feeding challenges, while long-term effects may include neurological disorders, developmental delays, and chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
Preterm birth is influenced by a combination of medical, lifestyle, and environmental factors. While some cases happen spontaneously, others result from pregnancy complications requiring early intervention.
Some of the risk factors include a history of previous preterm birth, multiple pregnancies, and cervical insufficiency. Bacterial infections, particularly in the reproductive and urinary tracts, are a major cause of preterm labour. Conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and untreated urinary tract infections (UTIs) can weaken the amniotic sac, increasing the risk of premature rupture of membranes.
Unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use harm foetal development and weaken the placenta, increasing preterm birth risks. Poor nutrition, short birth intervals, stress, and maternal age also play a role.
Maternal health must be a priority to reduce preterm birth rates. Managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension, along with maintaining a nutritious diet, plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and lowering the risk of premature delivery.
Survival rates of premature babies vary dramatically based on location. In low-income countries, more than 90 percent of extremely preterm babies (less than 28 weeks) die within the first few days of life, whereas in high-income countries, fewer than 10 percent of these babies die.
Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death among children under five. In low-income settings, half of the babies born at or before 32 weeks die due to insufficient access to essential care such as warmth, breastfeeding support, and basic treatment for infections and breathing issues.
Climate change has also been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Climate hazards such as heat waves, air pollution, and natural disasters affect different stages of life, with women and children being most vulnerable. Heat waves increase the risk of preterm births and stillbirths, while air pollution contributes to high blood pressure, low birth weight, and respiratory illnesses.
Kenya continues to grapple with major challenges due to climate change, affecting health, agriculture, infrastructure, and the environment. The country experiences extreme heat and devastating floods, which have displaced thousands and claimed many lives.
Addressing preterm births requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved maternal healthcare, better management of chronic conditions, and strategies to mitigate environmental risks. Ensuring that all mothers receive the care they need can help prevent premature births and improve survival rates for newborns.
