Ah, the third trimester. That magical time when your baby grows so big that they poke your ribs while stomping on your bladder. When sweating becomes your default setting (thanks, Orlando heat), and when you start to wonder whether your Lil’ Bit is taking in-utero breakdancing lessons at 2 a.m.

Heaven help us, those last few weeks are one of the toughest stretches of pregnancy — but also one of the most important. Delivering too early could affect the health of you and your baby, leading to potentially lifelong issues. Thankfully, there are things you can do to lower your chances of that happening. Here’s what you need to know.

HOW EARLY IS TOO EARLY?

Preterm birth is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. In Orange County, 10.5 percent of babies born between 2003 and 2022 were delivered preterm. That number jumps to 14.1 percent for babies born to Black women. Some babies are considered to be more “premature” than others. Here’s the breakdown:

• Extremely preterm: less than 28 weeks
• Very preterm: 28-32 weeks
• Moderate to late preterm: 32-37 weeks

CONSEQUENCES OF BEING BORN PRETERM

Preterm birth complications are the worldwide leading cause of death for children under 5 years old. Babies born before they’re fully developed might not be strong enough to live on their own and often have trouble doing basic things like breathing, maintaining their body temperature, eating, and fighting off infections.

Typically, the earlier the baby is born, the longer their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This can take a huge toll on parents who are anxious to take their baby home, and who feel the weight of being separated from their child. But the stress doesn’t end there. After the child leaves the hospital, parents are often faced with out-of-pocket expenses. This can be due to a NICU stay and lingering health issues later in life.

As the baby gets bigger, some things get easier, but they’ll likely still face added challenges for the rest of their lives. Being born too early can increase a child’s chances of having potentially serious health challenges when they’re older, including diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure, and obesity.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

No pregnancy is perfect, but you can increase your chances of having a full-term pregnancy. Here’s how:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Gaining too little or too much weight during pregnancy can up the chances of having a preterm baby, and so can being over- or underweight before getting pregnant. Lower the risk of going into labor prematurely by keeping to a healthy weight before, during, and between pregnancies through a healthy diet and exercise.
• Go to your prenatal visits: Visit your doctor as soon as you see those two little lines appear on a home pregnancy test, and continue to see your doctor regularly throughout your pregnancy. Going to your prenatal visits gives your doctor the chance to catch problems early and reduces your risk of a preterm birth.
• Avoid harmful substances: What you take in, your baby takes in. Avoid any and all things that could hurt you or your baby, especially alcohol, smoking (even secondhand smoke), vaping, and any drugs that are not specifically prescribed or directed for you to take while pregnant. This includes some herbal supplements and essential oils, which — despite being hailed as “natural” — aren’t regulated for safety in pregnant women.
• Wait before getting pregnant again: Pregnancy forces your body to go through a lot of changes. Recovering from that takes time. Give yourself at least 18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. Your doctor will likely bring up the subject of birth control at your postpartum visits, but if they don’t, ask.
• Set aside time for yourself: Stress can raise your blood pressure and up the chances of an early labor. If it’s at all possible, try to avoid sources of stress in your life. If you can’t, find positive ways to manage it like exercise, meditation, and getting enough rest.