Premature Births

While it may seem like you have to wait forever for your your little bundle of joy to enter the world, those nine months in the womb are important for baby's development.

Today, 1 in 8 babies babies are being born prematurely, and those numbers are growing. Judy Nolte, Editor-in-Chief of American Baby Magazine, discusses premature births and ways you can lower your risk.

A premature baby is defined as a child who is born before 37 weeks gestation. Preemies are more likely to experience mental and physical difficulties than their full-term counterparts. The problem is, researchers can't pinpoint the exact reason why some babies are born early. "That's why organizations like the March of Dimes, for example, is in the midst of a big campaign to try to find out why. The scary part is, it could happen to anybody," says Nolte.

But even though doctors aren't completely sure why some children make an early entrance into the world, there are some things you can do to help lower your risk.

If you're trying to get pregnant, visit your OB/GYN for a preconception check-up. He or she can give you some tips on how to get healthy before you conceive so that your child thrives in a healthy environment right from the start. Your doctor can also help you manage chronic conditions - Nolte mentions things like diabetes or high blood pressure - that may put your baby at risk for a pre-term birth.

Women may also be at a higher risk if they've had trouble with previous pregnancies. Women who have previously given birth prematurely or suffer from certain problems with their uterus have an increased risk. Also, if you're carrying multiples, the added strain on your body may cause you to go into labor early. Again, your doctor will be able to accurately asses your risk and offer helpful advice to help you lower your risk of premature labor.

Once you are pregnant, do your best to stay healthy. All those prenatal vitamins and weigh-ins have a purpose. The goal is to create a healthy environment for your baby. "Not smoking, not drinking, taking care of your weight - gaining between 25 and 35 pounds," says Nolte. "You have to be nourished properly, and so does the baby."

Nolte warns, however, that although hospitals are now equipped with neonatal intensive care units, premature births are a serious issue. "Everybody thinks, 'This is no big deal. This is a problem we can solve,' but these children have long term health and development problems," says Nolte. "The longer the baby is in the womb, the better the chance he or she has."

Also, be aware of the signs of premature labor. "The actual physical signs are just a very intense kind of labor coming much earlier," says Nolte. "A very tense... pushing down around the abdomen, low back pain, a change in the color of the vaginal discharge." If you experience any of these common signs of labor before 37 weeks, contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room. Your baby has a better chance of developing normally if they receive immediate medial care.

For more information on premature babies, as well as other parenting advice, click here to visit the American Baby website.

By Erin Petrun