Women in the United States decreased pregnancy

The average duration of pregnancy in the United States is 39 weeks, which is one week shorter than the traditional period. Such conclusions were come to the MARCH of DIMES, summary of the 10-year observation of American women, came to assistance to the Children of March of Dimes .

According to the results of the study published in Eurekalert , from 1992 to 2002, the number of pregnancies lasting more than 40 weeks decreased by 21%. At the same time, the number of births between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy increased by 12%.

In 2002, about a quarter of all American babies were born after 39 weeks of stay in the womb. The authors of the study believe that their contribution to this process is made by the growing popularity of Caesarean sections and artificial stimulation of childbirth. However, this is not enough to fully explain the causes of such a process, reports Washington Profile .

In addition, over the decade, the number of twins born has increased significantly. From 1996 to 2002 it increased by 20% - from 26 to 30 cases per thousand births.

The normal average pregnancy duration of a woman is 40 weeks from the date of the last menstruation. Childbirth is considered premature up to 37 weeks, and the child who has been born before this period is premature.