Premature birth

        Premature birth is common in babies that are born before the full term which is 40 weeks. To be considered premature they have to been born before 37 weeks. Premature birth is a serious problem among pregnant women. It can cause complications with their health, like breathing problems or death. Later in life they are at a high risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Every one out of eight babies are born premature in the United States. "In fact, the rate of premature birth increased by more than 20 percent between 1990 and 2006."          
        
         “A 2008 study found that cesarean sections (c-sections) account for nearly all of the increase in U.S. singleton premature births, and this group had the largest increase in c-section deliveries.” If the baby is born earlier, he/she is at s high risk of having serious health problems such as hearing, breathing, and seeing. Having a C-section increases the premature rate of the baby births. Other causes of premature birth or having a preterm labor are smoking, drinking, illegal drugs, domestic violence, stress, working long hours while standing, environmental pollutants, and others.  
      
      When born premature, the babies have to be in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). They have to get enough oxygen when the doctors put a tube in their nose to breath properly. Their lungs aren't developed properly and need the oxygen. Their lungs are immature and can't breath the right way. If the baby is less than 33 weeks, the baby has a 50-50 chance of survival. The baby can get pneumonia, an infection, and other big complications. They weigh less than a baby that is born the full 40 weeks. The babies have to be in a incubator for the baby to survive. They get sick easily than a full term baby. Breast milk can give a baby extra protection from infection. It helps with the baby fight against it.
        
       The March of dimes is a program that helps with babies that are born premature. Their mission is to help the moms with full term pregnancies, give them information on their babies, and work together for stronger and healthier babies. K-mart is raising money for the March of Dimes and ask their customers for donations. Be a good person and donate to March of Dimes to help the babies be stronger and healthier. This program is doing a fundraiser for those babies that are premature and helping pregnant women out with their babies.
      
        Women need to take care of themselves and their babies. If they do, their babies will be born the full term and won't need a lot of medical attention. There can always be complications even if its a normal birth. They should know enough to be moms and about their baby and not do a lot of strenuous work. Either way they need to take good but really good care of themselves. To prevent the birth of premature babies women should seek prenatal care, visit the doctor, and stay away from drinking, smoking, and any other type of drug before and after when the baby is born.

Symptoms of Preterm Labor. Preventing It.

Prompt recognition of preterm labor may help you prevent premature birth. Even months before your due date, be on the lookout for:

• Contractions that occur more than eight times each hour — you'll feel a tightening sensation in your abdomen, often reminiscent of menstrual cramps
• Low, dull backache
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Diarrhea
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Watery vaginal discharge — this may be amniotic fluid, which surrounds your baby in the uterus

When to see a doctor
If you develop any signs or symptoms of preterm labor — such as a watery vaginal discharge or regular contractions that occur more than eight times an hour — contact your health care provider or hospital right away. It's a good idea to keep phone numbers for these handy so that you can find them quickly. If you're at risk of preterm labor or premature birth, your health care provider may recommend more-frequent visits.


                  http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/complicationspremature.htm

                          http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/premature_indepth.htm

                 http://miscarriage.about.com/od/pregnancyafterloss/a/prematurebirth.htm

                        
                     www.webmd.com/parenting/.../tc/premature-infant-overview

                 http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/premature-birth/DS00137.html