Premature babies are considered to be those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. About 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely.
Including You is brought to you by the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month. According to the CDC, premature babies have a higher risk of infant mortality and sometimes experience short- and long-term health problems. Fortunately, there are programs and assistance available to the nearly 400,000 babies annually born preterm.
What You Can Do
The premature birth rate has steadily declined over the years. Visiting your doctor and maintaining your health between and during pregnancies is a great first step. Spacing pregnancies out by at least 18 months and identifying moms at risk of preterm labor are also key strategies. Signs of premature labor include:
- Contractions every 10 minutes or less
- Pelvic pressure
- Low, dull back pain
- Change in vaginal discharge
- Abdominal cramping- with or without diarrhea
The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides early intervention (EI) for children from the age of birth to three years old. Parents who are concerned about development and milestones can benefit from specialists identifying delays in hearing, speech, seeing, moving, playing, and more. EI provides strategies and support to enhance your child’s learning and development. Check out their website for more information.
The Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities (TuscBDD) has resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities. TuscBDD provides Early Intervention for children birth to three years old, Service and Support Administration for people of all ages, family support services, family mentorship, and more! To learn more about these services and others, visit TuscBDD online at www.tuscbdd.org.
Audrey Mattevi
Reporting