During the month of November, Dr. Dori Kasparek of Complete Women’s Healthcare helps to educate patients on premature births and to raise the level of awareness. In the U.S., the entire month of November is dedicated to prematurity awareness. To raise awareness, the March of Dimes will work to help the nation focus it’s attention on premature births. In 2003 the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity Awareness Campaign. Since then, the March of Dimes has made signification strides in raising awareness about premature births and works to reduce the rate of premature births.
At Complete Women’s Healthcare, we want to help you better understand premature births. According to March of Dimes, 1 in 9 babies are born prematurely in the United States, with 15 million born too soon each year worldwide. March of Dimes strives to address the crisis at home and abroad to help improve the health of babies.
Dr. Dori Kasparek, Alpharetta area gynecologist, emphasizes the importance of healthy babies, because they are worth the wait. Prematurity Awareness Month begins on November 1st and goes through to the end of the month, with November 17th marking World Prematurity Day. With the help of March of Dimes, we want to make sure you understand the importance of healthy, full-term babies.
Our Suwanee area Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Kasparek, Shares Information on Premature Babies
A premature baby is born too early, typically before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. When a baby is born prematurely, they can encounter more healthy problems and may need to stay in the hospital longer than babies born later. Some steps you can take during your pregnancy to ensure a full-term, healthy baby are:
- Eliminate the bad – quit smoking, drinking or using drugs.
- Watch your weight – gaining too much weight during pregnancy can increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Gaining too little weight can also pose a risk for your pregnancy.
- Take prenatal vitamins – not only will that one pill a day enhance your overall health, it will also help your growing baby. It will also improve your chances of carrying full term.
- Eat well and often – maintaining a well balanced diet is good for you, your baby and your pregnancy. Getting the right mix of nutrients can help prevent preterm labor.
- Drink your water – getting the recommended eight glasses of fluids a day will help keep you hydrated, which also increases your odds up keeping your baby put because dehydration can lead to premature contractions.
- Be good to your gums – preventative dental care is one of your first, and best, lines of defense in preventing preterm labor, which can be triggered by gum disease.
Help Raise Awareness
During Prematurity Awareness Month, everyone has a role—your help can make the difference. Talk to our Alpharetta gynecologist, Dr. Dori Kasparek about more information on March of Dimes or how you can help in your community. You can visit http://www.facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay to learn more about how you can get involved. You can also follow #borntoosoon on Twitter to join the conversation on premature births.
At Complete Women’s Healthcare, Alpharetta OBGYN, we place increased attention on women’s health, especially adolescents and mothers, as well as newborns. It is our goal to help each woman—from adolescents to adults and mothers—maintain their health so that when they are pregnant, they can ensure the healthiest baby at birth.
Celebrating 75 years, March of Dimes maintains November as Prematurity Awareness Month and encourages you to take charge. Visit March of Dimes at http://www.marchofdimes.com for more information on how you can donate, learn more or even volunteer. Dr. Dori Kasparek, gynecologist in Johns Creek, is also available to help further educate you about premature births and how you can protect your baby during and after pregnancy.
Call Complete Women’s Healthcare at (770) 622-9810 to schedule your next OBGYN appointment in Alpharetta, Suwanee and Johns Creek areas, or to learn more about Prematurity Awareness Month throughout November. We are available to help you, whether you are pregnant or searching for routine gynecological care.
What steps are you taking to ensure the health of your baby? Share your routines below.