Tips for Reducing the Risk of Premature Birth

Prenatal Care

• Regular prenatal checkups starting early in pregnancy (at least 1 visit per month)
• Screening for risk factors like previous preterm birth, short cervix, infections, etc.
• Monitoring fetal growth and development
• Identifying and managing any maternal health conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes)

Lifestyle Modifications

• Maintain a healthy diet with adequate nutrition and hydration
• Engage in moderate, regular physical activity (e.g. walking, prenatal yoga)
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques, counseling, or support groups

Infection Prevention and Management

• Practice good hygiene and safe sex
• Treat any vaginal, urinary, or other infections promptly with antibiotics as prescribed
• Screen for and treat sexually transmitted infections

Cervical Health

• Identify women at risk of cervical insufficiency (e.g. prior preterm birth, uterine abnormalities)
• Consider cervical cerclage (a stitch placed in the cervix) for high-risk women
• Monitor cervical length via transvaginal ultrasound

Progesterone Supplementation

• Provide vaginal progesterone supplements for women with a short cervix
• Intramuscular 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate for women with prior preterm birth

Reducing Multiple Pregnancies

• Limit the number of embryos transferred during assisted reproductive treatments
• Encourage single embryo transfer when feasible

Early Identification and Management of Preterm Labor

• Educate women on the signs and symptoms of preterm labor
• Provide tocolytic medications to temporarily halt uterine contractions, if appropriate
• Administer corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturation

Specialized Care for High-Risk Pregnancies

• Refer women with high-risk factors to maternal-fetal medicine specialists
• Provide access to advanced treatments and interventions as needed