Before Pregnancy: What Women Can Do to Help Prevent Premature Birth

Nine months of a healthy pregnancy is the best gift you can give your future baby. More and more babies are born too early and those who survive may have serious health problems.

Medical experts often don't know why premature birth happens. We do know there are things you can do, before you get pregnant, to help give your baby a better chance of a healthy and full-term birth.
 
Plan your pregnancy and see a doctor or nurse before and during pregnancy to talk about the following topics.

The March of Dimes List: 9 questions to ask your doctor or nurse
1. How can diabetes, high blood pressure, infections or other conditions affect my pregnancy?
2. How can certain medications (prescription, over-the-counter, or home remedies) affect my pregnancy?
3. How does taking a multivitamin with folic acid daily, especially before pregnancy, help me have a healthy baby?
4. What is my ideal weight?
5. How can I stay away from cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs?
6. How can I manage the stress in my life?
7. How long should I wait between my pregnancies? (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that it's best to wait at least 18 months before getting pregnant again.)
8. What if premature birth runs in my family?
9. What are the signs of premature labor and what should I do?
 
For more information, visit the Web site of the March of Dimes: marchofdimes.com.

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For Pregnant Women: Learn the Signs of Preterm Labor

Even if you do everything right, you can still have preterm labor. Preterm labor is a serious problem occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is too early, and your baby could be born too soon. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these warning signs.

Warning Signs
• Contractions (your abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
• Change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding from your vagina)
• Pelvic pressure—the feeling that the baby is pushing down
• Low, dull backache
• Cramps that feel like your period
• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

What Your Health Care Provide Might Tell You
• Come into the office or go to the hospital right away.
• Stop what you were doing.
• Rest on your left side for one hour.
• Drink two to three glasses of water or juice (not coffee or soda).

Take Care of Yourself and Your Baby
• Get regular prenatal checkups.
• Try to avoid stress. Ask family and friends for help.
• Don't drink alcohol, smoke or take street drugs.
• If you feel burning or pain when you go to the bathroom, you may have an infection. Call your health care provider.

For more information, visit the Web site of the March of Dimes: marchofdimes.com.