By now, you're probably well aware of the word "preterm" and have likely been advised to avoid it at all costs. While there's no surefire way to prevent a preterm birth, there are several things you can do to ensure a safer, healthier—longer—pregnancy. So we've put together the following to-do list that you can use to help promote a full-term pregnancy.
Full-term pregnancy to-do list
Page last updated on: 3/12/25
What is a preterm birth, exactly?
When a baby is born between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, it's considered a preterm birth. Full-term pregnancies are considered 37 weeks or more. Why is it important to know? Preterm birth can be a health risk, because baby hasn't had enough time to develop and grow to reach a normal birth weight.
Learn more about the ways a preterm birth can affect your baby—as well as ways to prevent it.
Here are some things you can do
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
Being overweight can increase your chances of having a preterm birth. Likewise, so can being underweight. That's why it's important to maintain a healthy weight that's proper for you throughout your pregnancy. - Know your medical history.
Anything from previous infections to long-term illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes can affect your pregnancy, so it's best to determine if you have or have had any conditions and make sure they're being treated accordingly. - Be alcohol and tobacco free.
We all know how both alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy can have substantial effects on your pregnancy and your baby. It's important to stop drinking and smoking—as both can increase the risk of preterm birth. - Eat right.
A healthy diet goes a long way—especially during the nine months of your pregnancy. Make sure you're eating plenty of nutritious food—fruits, vegetables and protein. Talk to your provider for help developing the perfect diet for you and baby. - Check your blood pressure.
Use the cuff we provided in your PriorityMOM™ welcome gift to monitor your blood pressure as regularly as possible. Maintaining healthy blood pressure is an effective way to promote a full-term pregnancy. It's also a great way to keep tabs on your health throughout pregnancy. - Go to your prenatal visits.
Routine, regular prenatal visits are a great way to monitor both your health and baby's, too. It’s important to go to these visits each month (earlier in the pregnancy, then more frequent visits as you get farther along), as your provider will check for any health risks that may disrupt your pregnancy. It's also a great chance to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
Remember, not all pregnancies are alike and preterm births can't be 100% avoided. However, if you follow these to-dos you can lessen the risk and promote a healthy, happy pregnancy. Get a more in-depth look at preterm birth and the risk factors.