What Causes Preterm Birth? Half of preterm births hav

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Born Too Soon and Too Small
Questions and Answers About Prematurity

• Julie Garden-Robinson
• Food and Nutrition Specialist

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Preterm Pregnancy Facts

• Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy are
  premature or preterm
• Nationwide, one in eight babies were born preterm
  in 2003
• The rate of preterm births in North Dakota
  increased 32 between 1993 and 2003

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What Are Risks for Babies Born Preterm?

• Many babies will catch up with full-term babies
• Preterm babies often are at higher risk of health
  problems and disabilities

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What Causes Preterm Birth?

• Half of preterm births have unknown causes

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Who Can Have a Premature Baby?

• Any women can have in a preterm baby

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What Increases Your Risk?

• Previous preterm births
• Pregnancy with twins, triplets or other multiples
• Being younger than 17 years or older than 35
• Smoking
• Alcohol or Drug Abuse
• Unplanned pregnancy

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What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labor?

• Cramps or pelvic pressure
• A low, dull headache
• Contractions every 10 minutes
• Your health-care provider can determine preterm
  labor

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What Should You Do if You Have Signs of Preterm
Labor?

• Call your health-care provider or hospital
• You may need to come in immediately OR
• You may be told to
• Stop what youre doing
• Drink 2-3 glasses of water
• Lie down on your left side for an hour
• Monitor contractions
• Call your health-care provider again and describe
  what is happening

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Healthy Pregnancy Checklist

• Have a pre-pregnancy checkup and prenatal care
• Eat a balanced, varied diet
• Dont smoke
• Dont drink alcohol or use drugs
• Reduce stress

• Consult your health-care provider before taking
  medications
• Consume a supplement containing 400 micrograms of
  folic acid
• Gain appropriate weight

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For More Information About Healthy Pregnancy,
Visit

• March of Dimes
• www.marchofdimes.com
• The National Womens Health Information Center
• www.4women.gov/Pregnancy/

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For More Information About Nutrition and Health,
Visit

• http//www.ag.ndsu.edu/food/

Presentation by Bridget Curley, Program Assistant