How to Prevent Preterm Birth

How to Prevent Preterm Birth

Preterm birth is when your baby is delivered between 20 weeks and 37 weeks of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy lasts for at least 37 weeks. Preterm birth can be dangerous for your baby because the last few weeks of pregnancy are an important time for your baby’s brain and lungs to grow. Many things can cause a baby to be born early. Sometimes the cause is not known. There are certain factors that make you more likely to experience preterm birth, such as:

  • Having a previous baby born preterm.
  • Being pregnant with twins or other multiples.
  • Having had fertility treatment.
  • Being overweight or underweight at the start of your pregnancy.
  • Having any of the following during pregnancy:
    • An infection, including a urinary tract infection (UTI) or an STI (sexually transmitted infection).
    • High blood pressure.
    • Diabetes.
    • Vaginal bleeding.
  • Being age 35 or older.
  • Being age 18 or younger.
  • Getting pregnant within 6 months of a previous pregnancy.
  • Suffering extreme stress or physical or emotional abuse during pregnancy.
  • Standing for long periods of time during pregnancy, such as working at a job that requires standing.

What are the risks?

The most serious risk of preterm birth is that the baby may not survive. This is more likely to happen if a baby is born before 34 weeks. Other risks and complications of preterm birth may include your baby having:

  • Breathing problems.
  • Brain damage that affects movement and coordination (cerebral palsy).
  • Feeding difficulties.
  • Vision or hearing problems.
  • Infections or inflammation of the digestive tract (colitis).
  • Developmental delays.
  • Learning disabilities.
  • Higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure later in life.

What can I do to lower my risk?

Medical care

The most important thing you can do to lower your risk for preterm birth is to get routine medical care during pregnancy (prenatal care). If you have a high risk of preterm birth, you may be referred to a health care provider who specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies (perinatologist). You may be given medicine to help prevent preterm birth.

Lifestyle changes

Certain lifestyle changes can also lower your risk of preterm birth:

  • Wait at least 6 months after a pregnancy to become pregnant again.
  • Try to plan pregnancy for when you are between 19 and 35 years old.
  • Get to a healthy weight before getting pregnant. If you are overweight, work with your health care provider to safely lose weight.
  • Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not use drugs.

Where to find support

For more support, consider:

  • Talking with your health care provider.
  • Talking with a therapist or substance abuse counselor, if you need help quitting.
  • Working with a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) or a personal trainer to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Joining a support group.

Where to find more information

Learn more about preventing preterm birth from:

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have any of the following signs of preterm labor before 37 weeks:
    • A change or increase in vaginal discharge.
    • Fluid leaking from your vagina.
    • Pressure or cramps in your lower abdomen.
    • A backache that does not go away or gets worse.
    • Regular tightening (contractions) in your lower abdomen.

Summary

  • Preterm birth means having your baby during weeks 20–37 of pregnancy.
  • Preterm birth may put your baby at risk for physical and mental problems.
  • Getting good prenatal care can help prevent preterm birth.
  • You can lower your risk of preterm birth by making certain lifestyle changes, such as not smoking and not using alcohol.
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