Preterm births much higher in US than other developed nations. Another example of just how poor our health care is for the money we spend. So why the high numbers? Probably for a variety of reasons. High use of fertility treatments (increases risk of preterm birth), reliance on poor quality drug prenatals, no exercise, chemical exposure in the womb, poor dietary choices during pregnancy (leading to low magnesium, antioxidants…). The problem is that a baby born premature is at increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity for the next 10, 20, 30 40 or 50 years!
The bottom line is that the positive changes need to occur BEFORE conception and continue into pregnancy and infancy. I hate to say this to any pregnant women–but pregnancy is NOT about you. Every substance you breathe, eat, drink is about that little developing baby. Every decision needs to be about this.