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March of Dimes Report Card for US Preterm Births

Earlier this month, the March of Dimes issued a report card on the preterm birth rates throughout the United States. The country as a whole scored a “D”. The March of Dimes arrived at the grade by using a comparison between the actual preterm birth rate and the objectives set forth in an initiative known as Healthy People 2010. In addition to giving the country a grade, the March of Dimes graded each individual state on its progress toward reaching the Healthy People 2010 objectives. None of the states earned an “A”. Only one state earned a “B”; that state … Continue reading →

The Pregnancy Blog Review for Sept 10-21

The pregnancy blog review is a regular synopsis of recent posts in the blog. I try to cover all topics related to conception, fertility, pregnancy, labor, birth and beyond. Catch up on recent topics in the review. If you have any suggestions for future articles, they are always welcome. Placental abruption is a condition in which part of the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus. The severity of the tear can range from mild to severe. Learn more in What is Placental Abruption? The other main complication involving the placenta is known as placenta previa. This is when … Continue reading →

When to Worry About Spotting in Pregnancy

Realizing you are spotting is one of the scariest moments in a pregnancy. It immediately brings fear of miscarriage to mind. However, there are several causes of spotting in pregnancy. Some are potentially dangerous and others are less serious. Spotting isn’t all that uncommon. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about twenty percent of pregnant women experience spotting in the first trimester of pregnancy. While spotting may not be cause for alarm, you should always report it to your health care provider. Spotting is one of the main symptoms of a miscarriage, so call your doctor and … Continue reading →

A link between Infection and Preterm Labor

A study at Stanford University School of Medicine found a potential link between preterm birth and infection in the amniotic fluid. The study involved testing the amniotic fluid of women in preterm labor for bacteria or fungi. Researchers found that 15 percent of the samples tested positive for bacteria or fungi, a large increase from previous findings regarding the role of infection in preterm labor. They also found a link between the level of infection and the risk of delivering a younger preterm infant. The infants were generally sicker than in mothers without infection. Researchers believe the presence of the … Continue reading →