Early Arrivals

What can doctors - and parents - do about the alarming rise in the number of premature births? How can a woman reduce her risk for preterm delivery?
This may be a little help to those worrying about early arrivals:
- a woman can reduce her risk for preterm delivery by visiting her health care provider before pregnancy and, once pregnant, seeking early and regular prenatal care. A preconception visit is especially crucial for women with chronic disorders, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which sometimes can contribute to preterm birth.
- when a woman receives adequate preconception and prenatal care, problems often can be identified early and treated, helping to reduce the risk for preterm birth.
- studies suggest that consuming the recommended amount of folic acid throughout pregnancy may reduce the risk for preterm birth.
- avoid alcohol, smoking and illicit drugs beginning before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy.
- try to reach a healthy weight before pregnancy because women who are overweight or underweight are at increased risk for premature delivery.
- gain the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy. Recommended weight gain during pregnancy is generally 25 to 35 pounds for women who begin pregnancy at a normal weight and less for women who start out overweight or obese.
- One new treatment may help prevent a subsequent preterm delivery in women who have already had a premature baby. Studies show that treatment with the hormone progesterone (17P) reduces the risk for preterm delivery by about one-third in these women. Progesterone is given as weekly injections beginning at 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

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