9 Risks For Premature Births That You May Not Be Aware Of
byLindsay E. Mack
When you're pregnant, it's hard not to get bogged down in the fear of what could go wrong. You're willing to do anything to have a healthy pregnancy, whether this means giving up wine for nine months or enrolling in a prenatal yoga class. With this in mind, you may want to review the risks for premature births that you may not be aware of. This list isn't intended to freak you out, just provide some awareness (after all, stress is one of the potential factors).
According to the Mayo Clinic, a birth that occurs prior to the 37th week of pregnancy is considered premature. In general, full-term birth are preferable because they give the babies time to fully develop in the safety of the womb. Premature babies, however, may be more susceptible to infections and other complications. For these reasons, you'll want to do whatever is in your power to help your baby stay put until it's really go time.
With that in mind, it's a good idea to be aware of the many factors for preterm birth that could have flown under your radar. Very simple things, such as standing for several hours a day, or having a vitamin D deficiency, may lead to an early birth. Read on to learn which of these factors may apply to your own pregnancy.