Changing Partners Between Babies Risky Business

Norwegian study finds greater risk of premature birth

FRIDAY, Nov. 14, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Women who change sex partners between their first two babies are more likely to have a premature, low-weight baby than women who have the same partner for both births, says a Norwegian study in the Nov. 15 British Medical Journal.

Researchers compared pregnancy outcomes in 31,683 women who changed partners between their first two births and 456,458 who stayed with the same partner for both births.

After factoring in the mother's age and education, interval between births and the decade of birth, the study concluded women who changed partners had a greater risk of having a premature, low-weight baby with an increased risk of infant death.

One theory to explain the finding suggests women who change sex partners indulge in more risk-taking behavior, such as heavier alcohol consumption and smoking, and poorer nutrition. These are factors which may affect pregnancy outcomes, the study authors write.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about premature birth.

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