MARCH OF DIMES MEETING

Sept. 24th, 20126:30pm

THE MARCH OF DIMES The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing

birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes carries out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies'

lives.

- 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely in the United States.

INDIANA REPORT (REVIEW FROM 2011) Score of “C” Preterm birth rate of 11.9% Goal to reduce to 9.6% by 2020 National Rate of 12.2% (C) 3 major contributing factors in Indiana:

Rate of uninsured women rose from 18.5% to 19.3%

Rate of women smoking decreased from 26.6% to 23.3%

Rate of late preterm birth (induction and c-sections) decreased from 8.9% to 8.4%

Source: March of Dimes 2011

Premature birth - a birth before 37 completed weeks of

pregnancy

-After 23 weeks, the fetus is considered “viable”

(but in reality only 20-35% of babies survive)

The rate of preterm birth increased 27% between 1981 and 2001 from 9.4% to 11.9%.

On an average day in the U.S., 1,305 babies are born preterm (before 37 weeks), and 213

are born very preterm (before 32 weeks)

In 2000 prematurity/ low birthweight was the leading cause of neonatal mortality in the U.S., accounting for 23% of deaths in the first month of life.

Preterm birth is a leading challenge in pediatrics, accounting for substantial long-term disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing problems, and chronic lung disease.

Women at highest risk include those

who:-have had a previous

preterm birth(s)- are pregnant with

multiples- have uterine or

cervical abnormalities.

A baby’s organs

begin to form even in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy.

WHAT CAUSES PREMATURITY? In 4 out of 10 premature births, the cause is unknown.

Studies suggest there may be 4 main routes of premature births…

1.) MATERNAL / FETAL STRESS

• Constant stress in the mother triggers the production of hormones that can cause contractions and premature labor.

• Poor blood supply to the placenta can also lead to premature labor.

• Medical conditions in the mother including anemia, unhealthy diet, and diabetes can contribute to physical stress for both the mother and child during pregnancy.

2.)INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATIONS

• Studies suggest that premature labor is often triggered by the body’s natural immune response to certain bacterial infections, especially those involving the genital and urinary tracts and fetal membranes.

3.) UTERINE BLEEDING• The uterus may

bleed due to problems such as placental abruption (the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus).

• This bleeding triggers the release of proteins involved in blood clotting. There proteins may cause labor contractions to begin

4.) STRETCHING OF THE UTERUS

-An overstretched uterus is a risk factor for preterm birth. -This may happen when a woman is carrying two of more babies, or when there is too much amniotic fluid. -Other factors may include an incompetent cervix, meaning that the cervix opens too early.

PREPARING FOR PREGNANCY

Eat healthy food, maintain a healthy body weight, get fit.

Stop smoking or being in the presence of secondhand smoke.

Stop drinking alcohol. Do not use any illegal drugs.

Avoid stress triggers.

Avoid infections and hazardous substances and chemicals.

Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before pregnancy.

Get a pre-pregnancy checkup, including a dental checkup. Talk to your health care provider about your family

history, genetics and birth defects.

A woman should…

THE MARCH OF DIMES

ASK US HOW TO SIGN UP!www.marchforbabies.org/team/iubloomington

Want to help with March for Babies?

HELLP SYNDROME

H- Hemolysis

EL - Elevated Liver

Enzymes

LP – Low platelet count

QUESTIONS???

THANK YOU FOR COMING!