Newark, NJ — The rate of preterm births
has increased 36 percent in the past
25 years, according to a recent global report by the March of Dimes.
New Jersey’s preterm birth rate is 12.7 percent, an increase
of 19 percent between 1995 and 2006.
According
to the study, much of the hike in preterm births in in the US is
linked to more pregnancies after the age of 35 and the use of fertility
treatments that can lead to multiple births. "Wherever trend data are available,
rates of preterm birth are increasing," the report said.
Worldwide more than 1 million babies born prematurely die each
year before they are a month old. Infants who survive premature
birth face lifelong health risks, including the possible development
of cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning disabilities
and other chronic conditions, according to the March of Dimes.
“By eating right, eliminating smoking and drinking, and seeing a physician
regularly, mothers-to-be can reduce their chances of giving birth to a premature
baby,” says Martin L. Gimovsky, M.D., board-certified in obstetrics
and gynecology and maternal fetal medicine, and the Residency Program
Director for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center.
Preventing Preterm Delivery
Preterm labor and delivery can happen to any pregnant woman, but
it happens more often to some women than to others. Three groups
of women are at greatest risk:
- Women who have had a previous preterm birth
- Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets or more
- Women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities
The Department of OBGYN at NBIMC handles almost 4000 births annually,
many in women at extremely high risk of pregnancy loss. The Division
of Neonatal Medicine CHNJ at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
cares for more than 3,000 newborns annually, close to 800 of them
critically-ill in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Babies
receiving care in the NICU may have cardiac or respiratory problems
or other complicated diagnoses.
The Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine at NBIMC and the
March of Dimes offer suggestions for reducing the chance of a
premature birth:
- Get prenatal
care as soon as you think you are pregnant and go
to every appointment. If possible, see your health care provider
before you get pregnant.
- Stop smoking.
It's best to stop before you get pregnant. Avoid secondhand smoke.
- Don't drink alcohol.
- Talk to your health care provider about prescription medications
you are taking.
- Try to reduce stress.
Ask friends and family for help. Rest whenever possible.
- If you are in an abusive relationship, talk to someone. Abuse often
gets worse during pregnancy.
- Avoid long working hours with long periods of standing.
About CHNJ
Children's Hospital of New Jersey, located at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center and part of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System,
is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized
services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent
years as well as preventive programs that promote wellness in
the community. For a referral to a pediatrician or pediatric
specialist, please call 1-888-724-7123. Follow us on Twitter:
get real time news from the Saint Barnabas Health Care System
at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health.
Date: November 4, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
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