Too Many Babies Are Delivered Too Early: Hospitals Should Just Say No

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks for a reason. At 35 weeks, a baby's brain tips the scales at just two-thirds of what it will weigh by weeks 39 to 40. Going full-term gives a baby's lungs time to mature and improves a baby's ability to suck and swallow. But too many doctors — and moms — are disregarding advice from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to wait until at least 39 weeks to deliver.

Desire for convenience and an intolerance for the unpredictability of labor have resulted in thousands of babies being born too early, according to The Leapfrog Group, which tracks hospital quality.

It recently released data collected from 773 hospitals about the percentage of births between 37 and 39 weeks that were considered elective, or not medically necessary. The rates soared as high as 40% and varied widely between hospitals across the country and even in hospitals in the same city; in Los Angeles, for example, some hospitals reported rates as low as 4% and as high as 29%.

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EATING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CUTS RISK OF MISCARRIAGE, SAYS STUDY

The consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy can reduce the chance of a miscarriage, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The study of nearly 7,000 pregnant women by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine looked for links between diet, lifestyle and miscarriage, and were detailed in the study led by Dr. Maureen Maconochie from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Maconochie and her colleagues studied thousands of pregnant women and concluded that those who ate fruits and vegetables often in pregnancy were 46 percent less likely to have a miscarriage compared to those who did not use fruits and veggies as often.

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Pregnancy's Most Embarrassing Symptoms

Pregnant women are often known for their glow. Unfortunately, they are also known for experiencing a range of unpleasant symptoms that can leave them feeling more red in the face than radiant.

While there is some comfort in knowing that others share these same tribulations, the bottom line is that problems such as nausea and unexpected belching can be embarrassing. Though total control may not be possible, there are things expectant mothers can do to help alleviate some of the unwanted side effects of pregnancy.

Morning Sickness

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