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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 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 at CHNJ at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
cares for more than 4,000 newborns annually, close to 1,000 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: October 21, 2009
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@barnabashealth.org
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