In most cases, premature births happen completely by chance. A baby is considered premature if it is born before 37 weeks – that means between week 20 and week 37 of pregnancy. Although it is out of your control a lot of the time, there are certain things that can increase the likelihood of premature birth.
Doctors state that premature babies are more likely to have disabilities or health problems than full-term babies. That’s why it is important that you make sure you are not inadvertently increasing the possibility of early birth. These are some of the risk factors you need to be aware of.
Age
The older you are, the more likely you are to have a premature baby. This risk factor applies both to women giving birth for the first time and women who already have children. Women over 45 will typically give birth between week 34 and week 37 of pregnancy.
Naturally, there isn’t much that you can do about this. However, if you are having a baby in later life, it’s vital that you are aware of the increased risks and you are extra cautious so you can decrease the chances of premature birth as much as possible.
Misalignment In The Body
If your body is not aligned correctly, it can lead to premature birth. This includes conditions like scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and lordosis (an excessive inward curve of the lower back). If you have a misalignment in your body, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor or other specialist to help correct it. A pregnancy chiropractor can help you cut the risk of premature birth in a significant way. Having treatments throughout your pregnancy has also been shown to reduce labor times and improve postpartum recovery.
Lack Of Prenatal Care
Not seeing a doctor regularly for check-ups and prenatal check-ups reduces the chance that you will have a healthy baby. You can reduce the chances of premature birth by keeping appointments with your doctor or midwife every month. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, book an appointment and make sure that you follow all of the advice your doctor gives you. Things like taking folic acid and other prenatal vitamins, for example, can help you take care of yourself during pregnancy.
Poor Nutrition
Making sure that you eat a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy is vital to the health of your baby. While eating for two may seem like a great idea, you shouldn’t overdo it because this can cause problems when it comes to premature birth. You should try to follow nutritional guidelines from your doctor or midwife. Try not to gain more weight than is necessary. Meanwhile, avoid unhealthy foods and drink as much water every day as possible. This will cut the risk of a number of complications, including premature birth.
Premature birth cannot always be avoided and sometimes, it happens even if you do everything right. However, if you know the risk factors and take steps to manage those risks, you can keep your baby safe.
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