ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – According to the March of Dimes, Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia has reduced the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy. This will give more babies a healthy start in life.
In 2015, the Arkansas Hospital Association and the March of Dimes partnered in their campaign urging women to wait for labor to begin on its own if their pregnancy is healthy. Today, these two organizations presented the Labor and Delivery Unit at Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia with a banner signifying its dedication to reducing early elective deliveries.
“The last weeks of pregnancy are important. Babies aren’t just putting on weight. They are undergoing important development of the brain, lungs and other vital organs,” said Scott Berns, MD, MPH, senior vice president and deputy medical director for the March of Dimes. “I commend Baptist Health for being a champion for babies with their quality improvement effort.”
Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon each year and more than one million of those infants die as a result of their early births. Babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. They work to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
The Arkansas Hospital Association is a membership organization that for 83 years has assisted member hospitals and healthcare organizations through collective initiatives that facilitate the integration and improvement of the delivery of healthcare services across the state.
With more than 175 points of access, including eight hospitals, Baptist Health is committed to delivering “All Our Best” in healthcare to the people of Arkansas. For more information about Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia, call Baptist Health HealthLine.