MEDIA
Premature Delivery: Are You at Risk?
Of the 4 million babies born each year in the United States, one out of eight will be premature. African American women carry the greatest risk, followed by Hispanic women. Premature babies face multiple challenges—including cerebral palsy and other physical and intellectual disabilities—and many die within the first year of life. This public health crisis costs $26 billion annually for the care of premature babies in neonatal intensive care units.
“The good news is that new methods of diagnosis can identify women who are at risk and prolong their pregnancies, since an awareness of having risk factors can empower you to seek proper treatment early and improve your chances of having a healthy baby,” says Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway—a board-certified ob-gyn physician and author of The Smart Mother’s Guide® to a Better Pregnancy—who offers the following SMART tips:
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Seek prenatal care early if you have had a previous premature baby. The earlier you had a premature delivery, the greater the chance it will happen again. Beginning prenatal care during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy can allow you to receive progesterone injections (17-P) or progesterone suppositories, which can prolong your pregnancy.
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Make sure your cervix is measured. If you’ve had a baby before 37 weeks, request a transvaginal ultrasound to determine if your cervix is short. The shorter your cervix, the greater your risk of premature delivery.
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Ask for steroid treatments to improve the maturity of your baby’s lungs if your premature labor cannot be stopped. Receiving two injections of steroids within one week of a premature delivery improves the chances of the baby breathing on its own.
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Report pressure, back pain or abdominal pain to your healthcare provider immediately. Pain or pressure that occurs four or more times in one hour could indicate premature labor and can be treated if diagnosed in a timely manner.
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Test for STIs (sexually transmitted infections), especially if you have a vaginal discharge, and treat UTIs (urinary tract infections). Bacteria can enter the uterine cavity and irritate the uterus, which can start to contract. Antibiotic therapy can eliminate potentially harmful bacteria if found in time. |
Pregnancy is one of the most important milestones of your life. By using the SMART tips listed above, you will reduce the risk of having your baby too soon. A healthy pregnancy doesn’t just happen; it takes a SMART mother who knows what to do.
For more information on a healthy pregnancy, for a copy of The Smart Mother’s Guide® to a Better Pregnancy, or to interview the author, please contact Mary Ellen Gross, 858-456-0707, sizzle@san.rr.com, or visit www.smartmothersguide.com.
