YourBabyYourWay.com - Preconception

Preconception

Whether you’re pondering pregnancy or already trying to get pregnant, you’ll find a wealth of preconception information here.

Preventing premature birth—before conception

The best time to find out about your risk for premature delivery is before you conceive. And while medical experts don't know why premature birth happen, there are things you can do to give your baby a better chance of a full-term birth. See the nine questions you should ask your healthcare provider before you conceive to prevent premature birth.

There's good news for women who have delivered a premature baby and are considering pregnancy again. In 2003, several research studies found that treatment with the hormone progesterone reduces the rate of premature birth among some women. Learn more about other research being conducted to prevent or halt premature labor.

Pondering Pregnancy

Few things change your life more than having a baby. Whether you are just starting to contemplate having a baby or it's the only thing on your mind, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center's team of obstetrics specialists are here to help. Find an upcoming Pondering Pregnancy class that works for you.

Prevent premature birth

Nine months of a healthy pregnancy is the best gift you can give your future baby. More and more babies are born too early and those who survive may have serious health problems.

Medical experts often don't know why premature birth happens. We do know there are things you can do, before you get pregnant, to help give your baby a better chance of a healthy and full-term birth.

Plan your pregnancy and see a doctor or nurse before and during pregnancy to talk about the following topics. Read the full article and the 9 questions to ask your health care provider>

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Ask the Expert

Q: How do I know if I am at risk for preterm labor?

A: No one knows for sure what causes a woman to have preterm labor. But if you have certain risk factors, you're more likely than a woman without risk factors to have preterm labor. Risk factors include: having already had a premature baby or getting pregnant again too soon after having a baby; being pregnant with twins or more; and having problems with your uterus or cervix. You're more likely to have preterm labor if you're underweight or overweight or if you have health problems, like high blood pressure, diabetes or certain infections. Things in your life like stress, smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs also put you at risk. Talk to your provider if you have any of these risk factors. You may be able to reduce your risk and have a better chance for a healthy pregnancy. Read the full answer >

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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.

Book Review:

Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth

by Barbara Luke

Luke, a registered nurse and researcher, has written the first book addressing the avoidance of risk factors that lead to premature birth. After observing the link between high levels of stress and long hours on one's feet and the number of premature births in the nurses with whom she worked in a busy nursery, Luke studied the work of French obstetrician Emile Papiernik, whose initiatives led to a significant lowering of the premature birthrate in France. Factors identified were nontraditional in nature and included such things as standing, long hours, noise, fatigue, and stress. The author outlines the risk factors in home and work environments, lifestyle, and nutrition and offers suggestions to reduce those risks. She includes a preassessment test for the to ascertain how high her risk might be and a postassessment to help her see where she has and can make significant changes to prevent premature birth. This very readable book accomplishes the author's purpose quite well. Recommended for consumer health collections. (From Library Journal)

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	Share your story
We want to hear about your preconception experiences. Maybe you had a difficult time conceiving and found a specialist locally who really helped. Or maybe you have a tip to share with other couples who are trying to conceive. Join the community today to share your experiences. Or select a blog from the list below to read other hopeful parents’ stories.