Women
who have experienced premature delivery are faced with
many emotions. These women will ultimately experience
and have to deal with the grieving process. They may become
angry, asking themselves, “Why me?” Before
they can accept and come to terms with the fact that most
premature births have no known cause, they might blame
themselves.
Can anything be done to prevent premature
labor?
Ultimately, couples who are thinking about conceiving
or trying to conceive are at a greater advantage. Research
has indicated that the state of you and your partner’s
health at the time of conception can play a role in
pregnancy outcome.
If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, set
up an appointment with your doctor. Let your physician
know about your plans. Women who are trying to become
pregnant should strive to be at their healthiest. This
includes eating a well balanced diet, being at a healthy
weight, free from smoking, drinking in excess and free
from recreational drugs. If you do use recreational
drugs, this is very important to tell your doctor. Your
doctor can assist you in finding the help that you need.
Being overweight or underweight is also a risk factor
for premature birth.
Women who take prescription drugs should talk with
their doctor before attempting to become pregnant. Some
medications are not safe to take before becoming pregnant
or during pregnancy. Uncontrolled health conditions
are also a risk factor in premature birth.
It’s also a good idea to pay a visit to the dentist
before you become pregnant. If you’re in need
of dental work like fillings or extractions, the best
time to get this done is prior to pregnancy. Once you’re
pregnant, dental work is limited due to the risks involved.
Infection is another risk factor for premature birth.
Along the lines of pre-pregnancy health, many doctors
also suggest taking prenatal vitamins, especially those
containing iron and folic acid, as much as a year before
trying to conceive.
Once you become pregnant, make sure you visit your
OB/GYN or Midwife regularly for prenatal care. Each
visit is important because not only is the growth and
development of your baby being monitored, your health
is as well. Certain sexually
transmitted diseases are also linked to
premature births. Testing for STD’s is a common
pre-natal screening.
Who is at risk for premature labor?
Certain women are at higher risk for preterm labor.
Women carrying multiples are at an increased risk. Researchers
also believe that women who have a history of preterm
labor are at a higher risk for reoccurrence.
According to The
March of Dimes, African-American women,
women younger than 17 and older than 35 and those living
in poverty are at a greater risk than other women for
preterm labor.
There is still no way to completely ensure you’ll
deliver a full term baby. Although couples who plan
their pregnancies do have some advantages, it’s
never too late to start making healthy choices.
Since premature labor is the leading cause of deaths
for infants in America, and so much is still not known
about what causes premature labor, if you’re pregnant
or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor
about your risks for premature labor.
It may also be a good idea to familiarize yourself
with the signs and symptoms of premature labor so that
if you’re ever faced with the possibility, you
will be more informed.
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