The March of Dimes has recognized CHI St. Vincent Infirmary for ensuring that more babies get a healthy start in life by significantly reducing the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy.
“Reducing preterm, elective deliveries leads to healthier babies,” said Polly Davenport, president of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. “We are blessed to have an expert team of physicians and nurses who recognized the problem of unnecessary early deliveries, and implemented policies to help avoid scheduling c-sections or inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy, except when medically necessary.”
“Less than five percent of all elective deliveries are now before that 39-week threshold. Ensuring that babies are carried to term provides time for babies to gain weight, and to further develop their brains, lungs, and other vital organs.”
The March of Dimes, along with the Arkansas Hospital Association, presented CHI St. Vincent Infirmary with a banner to be displayed in the hospital’s Maternal Child Unit.
Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants, according to the March of Dimes. Although the overall threat is small, the risk of death more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy, when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities. Babies who survive an early birth often face lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.
Faith Sharp, Director of Maternal Child Health for the March of Dimes, says the March of Dimes has been getting the word out that “Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait.” This campaign urges women to wait for labor to begin on its own, if their pregnancy is healthy, rather than scheduling delivery before 39 weeks.
The March of Dimes offers both professional and consumer education materials about the critical importance of a full-term pregnancy to the health and well-being of babies.
CHI St. Vincent Infirmary’s Maternal Child Unit offers spacious, home-like birthing suites that are equipped for comfort during labor, delivery, and recovery. This model of care has a number of benefits for both mother and child. The hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is located nearby on the same floor.