Dr. Erin Hamilton-Spence, a neonatologist on the medical staff of Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth answers frequently asked question about premature babies.
When are babies considered premature?
Any infant born more than 3 weeks prior to their due date is considered premature.
What causes prematurity?
Amazing that in 2012, we still don’t know. With good prenatal care, we can often predict and prevent premature delivery. But often, it occurs spontaneously without any warning. Prematurity is the most common cause of infant death and disability, as well as a huge healthcare burden costing about $26 billion per year to the healthcare system.
How common is prematurity and who is at risk?
On the United States, 1 out of 8 infants are born prematurely. Teenagers, smokers, and illicit drug users are at highest risk. Having more than one baby at a time (multiples), being of African descent, as well as having a previous preterm infant are risk factors that cannot be changed. Additionally, new research suggests that women who have their children less than 1 year apart are at increased risk for prematurity.
What steps can be taken by expectant mothers to prevent prematurity?
Get early, regular prenatal care starting about 2 weeks after you miss your first period. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products or raw animal products of any kind. Drink at least eight 12-ounce glasses of water every day. Yes, you will go to the bathroom often, but this will keep you and your baby well hydrated.
What treatments are available to prevent prematurity?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first drug to help prevent prematurity in high-risk women who have previously had a premature infant. A weekly shot of progesterone may help prevent premature delivery for these women who do not have any other risk factors. Many women who experience preterm labor will be put on bed rest or at least asked to reduce their activity and abstain from intercourse. Lastly, after birth, exclusively breastfeeding your infant for the first 6 months of their life can enable your body to recover from delivery and pregnancy more fully, and potentially prevent a future premature delivery.
Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth promotes the health and well-being of Tarrant County residents through a variety of programs including the Hispanic Wellness Fair, American Heart Walk, Susan G. Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure®, National Cancer Survivors Day, Mother’s Milk Bank, American Cancer Society, Senior Health & Wellness Fair and LifeGift Organ Donation Center. For fiscal year 2011, Baylor Health Care System will report $468 million** in community benefit, which includes providing care for charity patients and patients enrolled in government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the unreimbursed costs of medical education, research and community programs.
*FY2011 represents preliminary information that has not yet been reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services. This figure includes providing care for charity patients and patients enrolled in government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the unreimbursed costs of medical education, research and community programs. Total community benefit was calculated in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 311.
Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth or Baylor Health Care System.
Mary Johnson
817.922.7088
mary.johnson1@BaylorHealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com
