NO HURRY
e GVMH Birthing Center
delivers on time
SOME THINGS SHOULDN’T
be rushed—not even a
little. And that includes pregnancy.
Once doctors thought that babies born just a few
weeks early were as healthy as full-term babies born at
or weeks.
“Now they know otherwise,” says Sylvia Bartlett, RN,
assistant director of the Birthing Center at GVMH. “ at
nal stretch of pregnancy is crucial for babies. Babies
born before weeks face a raised risk of breathing and
feeding problems, as well as developmental problems.”
e brain, for example, grows at its fastest rate be-
tween and weeks. e liver and lungs continue to
develop, too.
REDUCING RISKY BIRTHS
is explains why the Birth-
ing Center embraced a
recommendation from the
March of Dimes and six major medical groups calling for
hospitals nationwide to reduce or eliminate their rates of
elective early deliveries.
ese are births in which a woman chooses to have her
labor induced and her baby delivered before a full weeks
even though it’s not medically necessary and might even
pose a health risk: Inducing labor increases the chance of
infection, uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
In early
—to help protect the health of babies and
moms alike—the Birthing Center stopped o ering elective
early deliveries. At one time, those deliveries accounted for
up to percent of all births at the center. Today, none occur.
“ is is such a positive change,” Bartlett says. “Some-
times, it makes sense to deliver early—for example, if a
baby or a mom is in danger. But when an early birth isn’t
medically necessary, a full-term pregnancy is always the
safest choice.”
DADDY DO’S
A guy’s guide to the next months
SURE, SHE’S THE ONE
sporting that baby bump. But you,
too, have important work to do in the months ahead.
As a father-to-be, you play a key role in supporting your
partner and helping to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
IT TAKES TWO
Here are some of the ways experts say you
can be more involved.
Find out what it’s all about.
From books to websites,
try to learn more about pregnancy, childbirth and par-
enting. You and your partner might quiz each other and
share pointers.
Go to her prenatal care visits.
At one of the earlier ap-
pointments, you may hear your little one’s heartbeat. Later,
you can even see the baby—and perhaps learn whether
you’re having a girl or a boy.
Enroll in childbirth classes at the hospital.
It’s a great
way to learn what will happen during labor and delivery
and how you can help your partner when the time comes.
Don’t light up.
If you smoke, you may never have a bet-
ter reason to quit. Secondhand smoke can harm your baby
even before he or she is born. In the meantime, be sure not
to smoke around your partner. And talk to your doctor if
you need help quitting.
Help her have a healthy pregnancy.
ere are a lot of
other ways you can help your partner and the baby stay
healthy. For example:
Eat a healthy diet together, and avoid alcohol and illegal
drugs so that it’s easier for her to do the same.
Take walks together, as long as it’s OKwith her doctor. It’s
a great way to bond and help her get some healthy exercise.
Help her steer clear of things that may be especially
harmful to her now, such as harsh chemicals. If you have
a cat, don’t let her empty the litter box.
Help prepare for the new arrival.
You and your partner
can decide how to set up the baby’s sleep area. And you
might shop together for a crib, baby clothes and other items
you’ll need for the baby. You can even put your mechanical
skills on display by installing an appropriate infant safety
seat in your vehicle well before your precious cargo’s rst
ride home.
Sources: March of Dimes; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists;
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
P
Childbirth classes can help both mom and dad prepare for baby.
Sign up now by calling
- - .
Are you expecting?
Sign up for Great Beginnings, our
pregnancy education and childbirth
classes held at the Birthing Center.
Call
- - .
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