Preventing Premature Birth

One of the biggest fears for many pregnant women is the thought that they may give birth prematurely. Premature birth can bring its own difficulties with underdevelopment of the baby and threat of a long hospital stay.

The rate of premature births is rising in North America, leading health care providers searching for greater understanding and resolutions from this problem.

Briefly, I will outline the risks involved in premature birth and then give some suggestions on what you can do to prevent your baby coming too early.

Women younger than 17 and older than 35 are more likely to give birth early. Smokers are more at risk for premature birth. As much as 30% of premature births are attributed to mothers who smoke or mothers who live or work in a smoking environment. Multiple births increases chance of prematurity, as do certain health problems present in the mother, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, serious infection [bacterial pneumonia, kidney infection, STDs or acute appendicitis). Dehydration can cause premature labour as well, and complications, such as bleeding, low amniotic fluid or a placenta partially separated from the uterine wall also can cause premature birth. As well, women who have previously given birth prematurely are at higher risk for giving birth prematurely.

There are measures that can be taken to safeguard your baby from being born too early.

The following are crucial in preventing premature birth:

Do NOT smoke. Not only will cigarette smoking raise the risk of prematurity it can also cause miscarriage. Research has shown that smoking 1 to 9 cigarettes a day is enough to cause a baby to be born too early.

Avoid alcohol and street drugs. All are toxic to your baby. Cocaine has been shown in studies, to quadruple risk of premature birth.

Some herbs can also help prevent premature birth and you can discuss these with someone knowledgeable in herb use in pregnancy.

Drink lots of clean water.

Perhaps the most crucial means of preventing an early birth is through nutrition. Dr Tom Brewer, author of “The Brewer Diet” believes that all premature births can be prevented through proper nutrition (www.bluribbonbaby.org) .

Dr Brewer advocates the following measures for preventing problems in pregnancy leading to premature birth.

Each day he says to consume:

Milk, at least 1 quart. He says that any kind will do. If you don’t drink cow’s milk, goat’s milk is a good option. Two eggs. One or two servings of protein (he suggests fish, shellfish, chicken, lean beef, veal, lamb, pork, liver or kidney. However it is best to stay away from liver and shellfish due to excessive toxins in liver and heavy metals in shellfish). Some alternatives to meat are rice and beans, tofu, and peanuts. There are other combinations that are healthy as well (check out www.blueribbonbaby.org for more information). 2-3 servings of leafy green vegetables such as beet, collard or dandelion greens, spinach, lettuce (NOT iceberg), kale, broccoli and Swiss chard. He suggests five servings of whole grain cereals or breads. Granola, bran flakes, shredded wheat, wheat germ, corn and brown rice are some examples. Add to these two choices of whole potato, green pepper, grapefruit, lemon, lime, papaya, and tomato. He recommends butter (3 pats a day), a yellow or orange vegetable or fruit five times a week and salt to taste and water to thirst

Avoid refined sugar and processed foods. Stay away from white flour, pop and junk food. Your baby will thank you.

If you take care of your body and your baby’s growing body as nature intended, through proper nutrition and water and getting adequate vitamins and minerals (most especially folic acid and calcium) through your diet, you are well on your way to birthing a healthy full term baby with no complications.

Eat well and happy birthing!

Written by Mary Seiver

CBE/Certified NFP & Mother of three children born naturally at home

This article first appeared in Mother's Milk Magazine ©2004.