Posts Tagged ‘Labor’
Preterm Labor
Preterm Labor
Six to eight percent of all babies born arrive before 37 weeks’ gestation. These small numbers, however, account for 75 percent of all the neonatal deaths – a significant statistic. It costs as much to care for 5 preterm babies as it does 150 pregnant women. Everyone agrees that prevention is the best approach since Mother Nature provides the best incubator. But this is easier said than done.
An Obstetrical Stew
It’s extremely difficult to prevent something when you aren’t sure of the exact cause, as in 50 to 60 percent of preterm labors. The current strategy is to identify – in advance those women most at risk for preterm labor. A look at a risk-assessment guide reveals an obstetrical stew of social, physical, and pregnancy factors that contribute to preterm labor. The following is a sample list.