| HOW TO PREVENT PRETERM BIRTH (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) |
 Know the signs of preterm labor: |
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Call your healthcare provider if you experience these signs and are less than 37 weeks pregnant -
- Cramps that feel like your period
- Cramps with or without diarrhea
- Low, dull backache (come & goes or is constant)
- Feeling like your baby is pushing down hard
- Clear, pink or brownish water leaking from your vagina
- Contractions every 10 minutes or more often
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| Do not smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs while pregnant |
See our substance abuse section for more information
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| Get early prenatal care |
| See your healthcare provider in the first trimester (first 12 wks) of pregnancy & regular prenatal care.
What to expect with Prenatal Care:
- 1st Trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy)
1 appointment – what to expect during your pregnancy, prenatal lab work
- 2nd Trimester (up to 28 weeks)
1 appointment each month (more if necessary) – how you are feeling, blood pressure, weight
- 3rd Trimester (until birth)
1 appointment every two weeks until the last month, then 1 appointment each week until birth
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