Zietchick Research Institute: How to Help Keep Your Child from Being Born Prematurely

As you progress through your pregnancy, you may naturally be concerned about the health of your baby. How can you be sure that your baby will be born without health issues and at the right time? According to the Zietchick Research Institute, an innovative research leader, you can take a few steps to prevent your bundle of joy from being born prematurely. Here is a glimpse at what you can do to ensure that your baby is born with optimal health in the months ahead.

First, it is paramount that you stay on top of your prenatal care appointments with your doctor. The sooner you see an obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, once you discover that you are pregnant, the greater your chances of avoiding a premature birth. Women who are either under 17 or over 35 are especially at risk for suffering complications, so receiving extensive care is particularly critical for these individuals.

Second, if you took specific herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications regularly before becoming pregnant, it is vital that you check with a doctor about your medication use, as certain medications might interfere with your pregnancy.

Third, making various lifestyle changes can lower your chances of giving birth to a premature baby. For instance, it is critical that you avoid using cigarettes or recreational drugs while pregnant. You also need to eat a healthy diet, as this will help you to remain at an appropriate weight and thus reduce your chances of delivering your baby prematurely.

Delivering prematurely can be difficult to deal with both physically and emotionally. Unfortunately, research indicates that around 500,000 births in the United States each year are premature. However, by taking the right steps early on in your pregnancy, you can avoid becoming a part of this statistic with the upcoming birth of your child.