Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth

About the Book

One out of every ten babies in the United States is born premature, the leading cause of death before the first birthday. Children born premature are more likely to have respiratory problems, as well as a higher incidence of learning disabilities and problems with speech, hearing, and vision. Most pregnant women don't realize just how much they can do to reduce their risks for premature birth, and improve the health of their unborn babies. Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth is a unique book which presents practical, scientifically sound information on the sixty most important risk factors identified with prematurity and how to reduce them. This book begins with a comprehensive questionnaire to help you assess your personal risk factors for premature birth and makes practical recommendations for reducing those risks that you can change. Many of these suggestions are as surprising as they are effective. Did you know that vacuuming is one of the most stressful activities you can perform while pregnant? Or that noise increases your level of stress-related hormones? Dr. Luke explains step-by-step how to make small changes in your lifestyle that can have huge health benefits for your child.

About the Author

Barbara Luke is a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine. She received nursing and public health degrees from Columbia University, her degree in nutrition from New York University, and her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. Visit Dr. Luke?s website at www.drbarbaraluke.com.