Nov. 01-- Oklahoma received a "D" on the just-released March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, but officials say there have been some significant improvements in key indicators in recent months.
Most Oklahoma birthing hospitals are participating in "Every Week Counts," a collaborative effort to eliminate scheduling medically unnecessary Caesarean sections and inductions before 39 weeks.
Since April, rates of early elective cesareans have decreased by 66 percent and early elective inductions by 33 percent.
"Although our state's preterm birth rate did not improve this year, the trend is moving in the right direction," said Belinda Rogers, state program director for the March of Dimes Oklahoma Chapter.
"Since 2006, when the nation's preterm birth rate peaked, our rates have improved and we will continue to work together with our partners for stronger, healthier babies.
"The last weeks of pregnancy are crucial for the baby to complete development," Rogers said. "Eliminating early, unnecessary scheduled inductions and cesareans can improve outcomes for Oklahoma mothers and babies."
Overall, the United States received a "C" on the March of Dimes Report Card.
National and state grades are based on comparing the state's and the nation's 2009 preliminary preterm birth rates with the new March of Dimes 2020 goal of 9.6 percent of all live births.
The rate of preterm birth, or birth before 37 weeks' completed gestation, is 12.2 percent in the U.S. -- down nearly 5 percent from the peak of 12.8 percent in 2006. Oklahoma's preterm birth rate is 13.8 percent.
The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
November is prematurity awareness month, when the March of Dimes tries to raise public awareness about the leading cause of death in the first month of life and a major determinant of illness and disability among infants, including developmental delays, chronic respiratory problems, and vision and hearing impairment.
"We are determined to find and implement solutions to improve the health of babies, such as improving access to health-care coverage, helping women quit smoking, and preventing unnecessary early C-sections and inductions so more babies can get a healthy start in life," Rogers said.
Andrea Eger 918-581-8470
andrea.eger@tulsaworld.com
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