How to Prevent Preterm Birth

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Research also shows that keeping hydrated and reducing stress can also help prevent preterm labor.

born premature

iam 6 months pregnant when my water broke up, my baby born prematured and he only last for 3 days, doctor said that because he was extremely premature,

preventative measures

Premature births and maternal distress related to hypertension and preeclampsia can result in over 10,000 infant deaths and up to $5 billion in annual health care costs in the U.S. But a recent medical breakthrough can alleviate both the worry of infant death and the cost of this expensive health concern. David Chaffin, MD, and Denise G. Webb, CRNP developed MIST in 2002 at the Marshall University's Maternal Hypertension Center through Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, WV, conducting clinical evaluations with results showing a 50% reduction in preeclampsia and zero maternal and infant mortalities in treating over 1400 at risk women. Visit http://www.misttechnologies.com/ for more information and start asking your doctor for your MIST test today.

premature babies

My sister was born early and weighed 2 lbs. 10 ozs. She had to stay in the hospital for 3 mos. She is now 41 yrs. old. She is very blessed to have no problems related to being born prematurely.

There's a lot more that can be done, too

Get regular dental care, and handle periodontal disease early in pregnancy if not before - extreme prematurity has been linked to oral health problems. (especially in the early-mid 20-weeks range)

If you're dealing with a multiples pregnancy, just swapping to omega-3 enhanced eggs can increase gestation an average of 6 days. In the preemie world, that's huge. Fish oil or other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to better function for preemies as well, though the research is still preliminary.

Fortunately, I've seen more OBs recommeding 'limited activity' or 'conservative activity' rather than total bed rest. Mainly because as noted, there's mounting evidence that total bed rest CAN hurt, and without evidence that it does something specific, that's a negative balance for the sake of feeling like they're doing 'something'. Cochrane Medical Abstracts in 2004 said that bed rest showed no benefits and lacked sufficient research, at the same time as having negative implications for the woman. In 2001, the review of bed rest for multiple gestation pregnancies indicated that bed rest could increase the rates of premature births, rather than making gestation last longer. Some people point to the research showing that the babies may be slightly larger for gestational age if the mother was on bed rest, but other research indicates that multiples do better at full term regardless of size for gestational age - up to 42 weeks, just like singletons. Term is term.

Self-modified activity - listening to your body - was what was advised by my care providers for my multiples pregnancy. My body would definitely tell me to rest. Doing THAT can't hurt. Actual 'real' bed rest may.

preventing pre-term birth

Why do doctors even suggest bed rest when study after study indicates there is no benefit? You say that bed rest "probably can't hurt", but studies indicate that prolonged bed rest is harmful to the mother and can reduce the growth of the fetus.