More than half a million babies births are considered preterm each year. Preterm means that birth occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. This is a serious health risk for the baby which costs more than $26 billion in the United States each year. Preterm birth is also the leading cause of death in newborns and the babies who survive a preterm birth often experience health challenges throughout their lives including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and other developmental and intellectual disabilities.
A full term pregnancy is considered 42 weeks, and many of the important organs such as the brain and lungs are not fully developed before 37 weeks. Physicians and expectant mothers should discuss the risks of preterm birth and how to prevent it early in the pregnancy. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can cause preterm births, yet when controlled and managed throughout pregnancy can allow a woman who has these conditions to have a healthy and full term pregnancy.
Education is the key to preventing preterm births and medical professionals across the country have participated in surveys and round table discussions of how to help expectant mothers prevent preterm birth and to help them prepare for the possibility of a pre term birth.
The March of Dimes is celebrating the 8th annual Prematurity Awareness Month this month. The challenge that is faced, as always is to continue to make advancements in education and information to prevent birth defects, premature births and infant mortality.
