November is National Prematurity Awareness Month. According to the CDC, about 1 in 10 babies are born preterm. In the US that is almost 400,000 babies born premature each year. These babies are born before 37 weeks and can have health problems throughout their lives.
Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and while the underlying cause of many preterm deliveries is unknown, we do know of some risk factors that can contribute. Risk factors include having a history of a preterm delivery, being pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets), ethnicity, age of mother, smoking, and short interval of time between pregnancies. There are also conditions during pregnancy that can place you at a higher risk such as urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Babies born prematurely can have a variety of health problems that can occur initially and/or show up later in life. Sometimes these babies need to spend time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until they are stable enough to go home.
Preconception consultations are important to discuss your health history and potential risks in pregnancy that could increase your risk of preterm delivery. Here at Capital Women’s Care, we want to help you prepare for and have a healthy pregnancy and baby – contact our office today to set up your preconception visit!
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As flu season is approaching it is important to get the yearly influenza (flu) vaccine. It is recommended to get your vaccine by the end of October and with the COVID vaccine now available many people are concerned about getting both vaccines together.
February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month and routine prenatal care is key in preventing and detecting prenatal infections. Here at Capital Women’s Care, we strive to provide you with the best pregnancy care!
When planning for pregnancy there are a few important steps to take before trying to conceive. Here at Capital Women’s Care, we want to help you have an enjoyable pregnancy journey from planning to prenatal care to delivery!
A healthy diet and adequate exercise are very important during pregnancy. The best time to begin eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly is before you become pregnant; however, it is never too late to change your habits!
June 7th was National Cancer Survivors Day. It is important to keep up to date on your routine cancer screenings and to know how your family history can impact your risk for developing cancer in your lifetime.
National Women’s Health Week is May 10th through May 16th. This is a great time to evaluate your health and set goals for yourself and the providers of Capital Women's Care Bethesda can help!
