| Frequently
Asked Questions
What is the risk of this
happening to me?
A black woman is two to three
times more likely than her white counterpart to lose her child
before his or her first birthday. In New Jersey, the 1996
infant mortality rate for blacks was 14.9 per 1,000 live births,
compared to 5.3 for whites.
What can I do to prevent
it?
Although
there is no way to completely prevent any infant death, there
are things that you can do to reduce your risk significantly.
Diet
Balanced diet
plus
an additional 300 calories per day.
Exercise
Moderate exercise.
Vitamins
Take prenatal vitamins, including 400 mg of folic acid every
day.
Drugs
and alcohol
Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Consult with
your physician before using any medication, whether it is
prescription or over-the-counter.
Occupational
hazards
Make sure to tell your doctor that you are pregnant before
allowing yourself to be exposed to X-rays. Also, stay away
from toxic chemicals both in the household and at the workplace.
Prenatal
care
Make sure to seek prenatal care as soon as you find out you
are pregnant.
Why would this happen
to me?
No one understands why infant
mortality is so high within the black population, but the
State of New Jersey is committed to finding out what causes
BIM and improving black infant survival.
Can you determine my
risk in advance by any tests, such as ultrasound, CVS, or
amniocentesis?
Although these tests may be helpful
in detecting possible problems with an unborn child, none
of these tests can detect whether your baby will die before
its first birthday.
What is preterm labor?
Preterm labor is defined as regular
uterine contractions and cervical dilation before the 37th
week of gestation.
What are the signs and
symptoms of preterm labor?
These may be signs and symptoms
of preterm labor:
- Uterine contractions, cramping,
and low back pain
- Feeling of pelvic pressure
or fullness
- Change in amount or character
of vaginal discharge
- Bloody show
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea)
- General sense of discomfort
or unease
What is considered low
birth weight?
Low birth weight is defined as
between 1,500 and 2,500 grams (3 lb. 5 oz. to 5 lb. 8 oz.).
Very low birth weight is between 500 and 1,499 grams (1 lb.
to 3 lb. 5 oz.).
What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS)—also known as crib death—is one of the top
three causes of black infant death. It is the diagnosis given
for the sudden death of an infant that remains unexplained
after a complete investigation.
According
to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,
recent research reports have documented that placing babies
to sleep on their backs is associated with a reduction in
the incidence of SIDS. However, sleep position in and of itself
is not a cause of SIDS.
Other recommendations to reduce
the risk of SIDS include:
- Do not allow smoking around
your infant
- Breast-feed
- Maintain regular well-baby
health visits, including recommended immunizations
- Place infant to sleep on a
firm mattress and avoid the use of bean bag cushions, waterbeds,
soft fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows, sheepskins, stuffed
toys, or other soft materials
- Do not overdress or overheat
your infant
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is caused
by an overgrowth of one or more types of bacteria, including
Gardnerella (also called Haemophilus) vaginalis,
Mycoplasma species, and Mobilincus species.
Symptoms include an unpleasant or fishy odor; increased vaginal
discharge; or itching, burning, and redness in the vaginal
area. Bacterial vaginosis has been found to be prevalent among
African American women, and treatment options include topical
applications or oral antibiotics.
How
can I obtain more information?
Call The
Family Health Line 1-800-328-3838.
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