Tag Archives: preterm labor

Some States Have More Premature Babies Than Others

A new report shows that the odds of you having a premature baby depend on the state in which you live. The report was issued by the March of Dimes organization which tracked premature births and gave a report card on the disparity of premature births by state. For example, the states with the lowest incidence of premature births tend to be up north. In Vermont, a woman is least likely to have a premature baby. Only 9 percent of all births are premature. Oregon and Connecticut also have low rates of premature births. When you move down further south … Continue reading →

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) occurs when your water breaks prior to the beginning of labor. This can happen near your due date or earlier. If the membranes rupture prior to thirty seven weeks, this is known as premature PROM. PROM occurs in about one in ten women. Pre PROM occurs in about three percent of pregnancies. The exact causes of PROM are not known. There are some risk factors associated with it. These include: * Not getting adequate prenatal care * Sexually transmitted disease * Twins/multiple pregnancies * Vaginal bleeding * Smoking * Prior preterm labors * High … Continue reading →

Treating Preterm Labor

Premature labor does not automatically mean the baby will be born too soon. In some cases, preterm labor can be successfully stopped and the pregnancy can continue. In other cases, there is nothing that can be done to prevent early birth. It’s important to recognize the signs and notify your doctor immediately. Early treatment is the best way to ensure the health of your baby. Symptoms of Preterm Labor: * Vaginal bleeding * Cramping or abdominal pain resembling period cramps * Contractions occurring every fifteen minutes for an hour or more * Lower back pain * Leaking fluid from the … Continue reading →

Causes of Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is defined as labor occurring before 37 weeks gestation. About 12% of labor is premature. The danger to the baby depends on how far along in the pregnancy labor begins. In most cases, after 34 weeks the baby is fine. The earlier labor begins the more risk to the baby. Risk Factors for Preterm Labor: * Previous preterm birth raises your risk of future preterm labor. The earlier in the pregnancy labor began, the more risk in a future pregnancy. * Multiple pregnancies often result in preterm birth. The more babies, the higher the risk. * Low weight … Continue reading →