Prematurity Awareness Month
November is Prematurity Awareness Month.
1 in 10 babies are born premature in the United States. The CDC defines premature as being born before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. In 2019 preterm birth and low birth weight accounted for 17% of infant deaths. Research shows that prenatal stress can have significant effects on pregnancy, maternal health and development. This post aims to bring awareness to the risk factors for preterm labor, symptoms to look for, and ways to lower your risk.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase your chances of delivering preterm:
Delivering a premature baby in the past
Being pregnant with multiples
Tobacco use and substance abuse
Short time (less than 18 months) between pregnancies
Stress
What to Look for
In most cases, preterm labor begins unexpectedly and the cause is unknown.
Like regular labor, signs of early labor include:
Contractions (the abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
Change in vaginal discharge (a significant increase in the amount of discharge or leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina)
Pelvic pressure—the feeling that the baby is pushing down
Low, dull backache
Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
If you have any signs or symptoms of preterm labor, call your healthcare provider right away.
What Can you Do?
For some of the risk factors there is nothing you can do preventively, except to quit smoking and reduce your stress. We’ll focus on ways to reduce stress, but if you’d like help with quitting any substance abuse, please contact your Care Navigator for resources or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Ways to Reduce Stress During Pregnancy
Talk to someone - if you feel worried or anxious, speak to a Licensed Mental Health Professional or trusted friend or family member. Sometimes just talking about your worries is enough to help you feel better.
Get ample sleep - especially during the 3rd trimester, sleep can be elusive. Try different ways to wind down for the day like meditations, calming music, warm baths or reading. If you can’t sleep at night, we suggest napping during the day - finding a way to get the sleep you need is imperative.
Find the silver lining - we always recommend letting yourself feel however you’re feeling, but when you have done so, try looking for the silver lining in situations; the growth you’ve experienced or the lessons you’ve learned. Looking at the bright side will help you reduce stress and feel more positive.
Yoga or Stretching - Taking a prenatal yoga class at your local gym, will not only keep you feeling healthy and flexible in preparation for childbirth, you might just make a mom-friend! Gentle stretching in your living room works wonders as well.
Take a time out - When stress starts taking over, take a time out to just breathe. Finding a quiet space to take at least 5 deep breaths will help your body take in more oxygen, naturally lowering your stress levels.