Premature Birth Information & Help To Quit Smoking

Do you have a question for Dr. Steve, CLICK HERE

7:00am Segment Info:
For premature babies. Often survival is based on the number of weeks that baby was in the womb. But now doctors say other factors like the sex of the baby and an important treatment given shortly before birth can also make a difference. They say baby girls do better than boys.. And if the child gets lung maturing steroids before birth it can be the equivalent of an extra week in the womb.

Is the baby's weight also important?

LINK: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2008/pr025-08.shtml

MORE AFTER THE JUMP...

It is, in fact an extra 3 1/2 ounces of weight makes a difference and being a single birth also helped add the equivalent of an extra week of pregnancy. Often premies weigh just 1 1/2 pounds and are not much longer than an average adult's hand. This new information can help doctors and parents make better decisions about when to use life saving treatments.

In other news, there's some free stuff being given away for smokers.

The New York City health department is launching a nicotine patch & gum giveaway. Starting today through may first, New Yorkers can call 311 to get nicotine patches and gum for free. That's right, no joke, for free. It's all part of the health department's new campaign to get New Yorkers to quit. You're going to see new ads on TV with a former smoker from the Bronx who quit using nicotine replacement treatment like the patch or gum. You know, nicotine replacement doubles the chance of quitting for good.

Are cigarettes expected to go up in price?

They are one june third they're going to go to $8.50 a pack! For people who smoke a pack a day that's almost $60 a week. So not only is this habit bad for you. It's expensive too. But more importantly, in the end, you pay with your health so it's just not worth it. If you want more information on the nicotine replacement give away.