Even if you do everything right, you can still have a baby born too early. You know this is true because you've had a baby born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. This is called premature birth.
You may be thinking about getting pregnant again. And you want your full nine months this time. This article is for women who have had a premature baby and are concerned about having another. It tells you what you and your health care provider can do to help you get nine months of pregnancy. Share and discuss this article with your health care provider.
Here are some questions that women who have had a premature baby often ask.
I've already had a premature birth. What can I do to help get my full nine months of pregnancy?
Just because you've already had a premature baby, it doesn't mean your next baby will be born too early. There may be things you and your health care provider can do to help you stay pregnant longer. It's best to talk to your provider about these things before you get pregnant again.
Why was my baby born too early?
Your provider may not know why your baby was born early. Sometimes labor starts early without any warning. Other times providers have to deliver a baby early if a mother's health or the baby's health is in danger. There may be things you and your provider can do to help you stay pregnant longer the next time.
Do I need to go to a special doctor for care?
Talk to your provider about getting a second opinion from a specialist. The specialist is a doctor who is trained to care for women who are more likely to have a baby born too early. These doctors are sometimes called maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Your provider can help you find this special doctor.
Why are some women more likely than other women to have a premature baby?
No one knows for sure what causes a woman to have a premature baby. But there are some risk factors that make a woman more likely to have her baby too early.
A risk factor is a known reason why something could go wrong. For example, smoking is a risk factor for having a premature baby. If you smoke, you're more likely than women who don't smoke to have a premature baby.
What can I do about my risk factors?
Some of the risk factors are things you cannot change, such as already having had a baby born too early. But other risk factors are things you can do something about, such as quitting smoking.
Here are some risk factors that you do can something about. Talk to your health care provider about these risk factors. Learn more about what you can do.
Risk factor: Getting pregnant too soon after having a baby
What you can do: Before getting pregnant again, wait at least six months between delivery and the start of the next pregnancy. This gives your body time to recover. See your provider before you get pregnant again.
Risk factor: Having certain health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure
What you can do: See your provider before you get pregnant again. Ask about treatments for your health problems.
Risk factor: Having an infection during pregnancy
What you can do: Wash your hands well with soap and water after using the bathroom or blowing your nose. Call your provider if you feel burning when you go to the bathroom. Once you're pregnant, use a condom so you don't get a sexually transmitted infection, like HIV or herpes.
Risk factor: Being very overweight or not weighing enough
What you can do: Talk to your provider about:
Risk factor: Smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs
What you can do: Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs. Stay away from situations or places, like parties or bars, where you might smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. Ask your provider about programs in your area that can help you quit.
Where can I talk to other women about my concerns?
Visit the discusion group "Pregnant? On Bedrest? Trying Again?" in the March of Dimes online community Share Your Story.
For More Information
Key Things to Remember
- Learn about your risk factors for having another premature baby and what you can do about them.
- Ask your provider before you get pregnant again what you can do to have a longer pregnancy next time.
- Ask about treatment to help you get your full nine months.
- Learn the signs of preterm labor and what to do if you have them.
July 2009
