Iowa ranks 19th among the states in a new report on premature birth rates. According to the March of Dimes, nearly one of out 10 babies in Iowa is born too soon. Michelle Gogerty (GOH-ger-tee) is state director of programs and advocacy for the March of Dimes….
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In 2014, nine-point-three percent of the babies born in Iowa were premature. Gogerty says it’s “difficult to pinpoint” a major cause for premature births…..
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Gogerty says there are all sorts of risk factors for premature births, including existing health problems like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. Women who drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy are at higher risk of having their baby prematurely.