Ask the Expert

 
Ask the Expert is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read here.

Pregnancy after a premature birth

Q: Last year I lost a child at 24 weeks. I'm considering pregnancy again. What can I do to reduce my risk factors for another premature birth? 

A: We're so sorry for your loss. 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. You may be thinking about getting pregnant again. And you want your full nine months this time.

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.

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 healthcare provider about these risk factors and to earn 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:

• Your weight
• Healthy foods to eat
• How much weight you should gain during pregnancy

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.

You must be a registered community member of YourBabyYourWay.com to submit a question to one of our experts. If selected, your question will be answered by one of our experts and be published on YourBabyYourWay.com. Join now >

Read more Q&As

Pregnancy & Delivery Questions >
Postnatal & Parenting Questions >

Visit the Ask the Expert archive >