Preterm Birth Rate Declines Again. Yay!

The U.S. preterm birth rate has declined for the fourth consecutive year in a row and the lowest it’s been in a decade -- to 11.99 percent for 2010, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The 2010 rate is a 6 percent decline from a high of 12.8 percent in 2006. The data also showed that c-section rates declined as well.

Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy. According to the March of Dimes, it occurs in 12 percent of pregnancies and increases baby’s chance of having low birth weight and health problems. To avoid giving birth early, mothers are urged to get proper prenatal care, eat right and manage health conditions and stress. Find out more on avoiding preterm labor here.

What do you think of these new statistics? Are you worried about preterm birth?

Plus, more from The Bump:

More Pregnancy and Parenting News

Make Labor Easier

What Are the Signs of Labor?

-- Sarah Yang