The procedure your body goes through to give birth to your baby is called labor. Early labor means, labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy, also called preterm birth. Premature babies are those born earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy. Before birth, your baby needs roughly 40 weeks to grow and develop in the womb.
Premature infants may experience severe health issues such as having underweight and undeveloped lungs and liver. Studies also show that a baby’s half of the brain grows up in the last few weeks of pregnancy. A newborn delivered only a few weeks early could have issues with their eyesight and hearing. According to the study’s authors, preterm birth causes about 75% of all newborn fatalities and can have serious short- and long-term health consequences.
Here are 7 ways to prevent early labor as follows:
1. Use a balanced diet that includes Foods high in Iron and Folic Acid
Pregnant women should always strive to eat healthfully. Pregnant women who consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and water have a considerably lower risk of giving birth prematurely.
According to Poston, numerous studies have indicated that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can benefit in preventing preterm birth.
A vitamin called folic acid is present in a variety of meals and multivitamin supplements. Folic acid can help prevent birth problems and premature birth, so it’s especially crucial for women who might get pregnant.
Consume foods high in iron, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, and grains with added iron. Heme, a kind of iron found in meat products, is a more easily absorbed form of iron than the iron found in plants.
2. Attain a Healthy Weight
Premature births are more likely in overweight and underweight women. Pregnancy weight management does not involve dieting or attempting to lose weight. One of the important thing in ways to prevent early labor is to take care of both you and your infant by eating well and being active.
3. Avoid Smoking and Drugs
Smoking has been associated with early labor, and the more you smoke, the more likely it is that you will give birth to your child early. You have also a higher probability of having a preemie if you use drugs, such as marijuana, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, or methamphetamine. One of the ways to prevent early labor is to cut back or stop smoking and drugs.
4. Taking control of Long-term Diseases
See your doctor to ensure that any long-term disease you have, such as heart or kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, or an autoimmune disease, is well under control before you become pregnant because a few of these issues call for a somewhat different strategy during pregnancy.
5. Prevent Infection
Although there are many contributing factors to preterm delivery, there is now a lot of evidence showing that one of the main causes is infection or inflammation. Premature birth has a lot of different infections kinds involved. Here are some ways to protect yourself from various infections:
- Ask for guidance about HIV
- Avert infections from animals
- Consider receiving treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Enhance your general hygiene
6. To Stay Stress-Free is also included in Ways to Prevent Early Labor
Stress during pregnancy can raise the risk of having a preterm birth. The idea that pregnant women who experience high levels of psychosocial stress are at significantly elevated risk for preterm delivery is now supported by a fast-rising body of empirical evidence.
Pregnant women who express “high” levels of psychosocial stress appear to be at an average 25–60% higher risk for preterm birth than those who report “low” levels of stress.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently released guidelines for obstetric practice that include undertaking psychosocial screening at least once during each trimester of pregnancy.
7. See your Doctor Regularly
Premature births are less likely for women who receive quality prenatal care. Attending all of your prenatal care appointments is crucial throughout your pregnancy. It will support your doctor to learn about you and your previous pregnancies, recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of probable problems and test your baby’s growth.
Your medical team will take all reasonable measures to stop you from going into early labor if they are aware that you are at risk.
- How To Soothing A Crying Baby - May 30, 2023
- The Importance Of Tummy Time for Your Baby - April 24, 2023
- Bonding with Your Newborn - April 24, 2023