Health Tips for August 23

Health Tip: What Are Risk Factors for Preterm Labor?

A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. If labor begins before 37 weeks, it's known as preterm labor.

Being born too early can cause a host of complications, ranging from slow growth to problems with the eyes, ears, breathing and nervous system, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says.

The ACOG offers this list of common risk factors for preterm labor:

• Having had preterm labor in this or a previous pregnancy.
• Smoking cigarettes or using cocaine.
• Having a multiple pregnancy (for example, carrying twins or triplets).
• Having an abnormality of the cervix or uterus.
• Having had an infection during pregnancy.
• Bleeding during the second or third trimester.
• Being underweight.
• Having a mother or grandmother who took a medication called DES during pregnancy.
• Having had insufficient medical care before and during pregnancy.

Health Tip: Eating Right While You're Pregnant

While a healthy diet is always important, it becomes even more crucial during pregnancy, when you're eating for two.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says your diet during pregnancy should include the following daily amounts:

• Six ounces of grains. One slice of whole-grain bread, a cup of ready-to-eat cereal, or a 1/2 cup of cooked rice is equal to about one ounce from this group.
• Two-and-a-half cups of vegetables.
• One-and-a-half to two cups of fruit, which could include 100 percent fruit juice or dried fruit.
• Five to 5 1/2 ounces of meat or beans. An egg, two tablespoons of peanut butter, or 1/2 cup of seeds or nuts is equal to about one ounce from this group.
• Three cups of milk. A cup of yogurt or 1 1/2 to two ounces of cheese can be considered one cup from this group.