Siloam Springs Regional Hospital (SSRH) 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, according to the March of Dimes.

"We're proud of our expert team of physicians and nurses who recognized the problem of unnecessary early deliveries in our hospital, and put in place policies to avoid scheduling C-sections or inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy, except when medically necessary," says Maria Wleklinski, Chief Nursing Officer at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital.

"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," says Whitney Tolbert, Director of Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance at SSRH. "Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants."

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, has been getting out the word 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. "We commend Siloam Springs Regional Hospital for being a champion for babies with their quality improvement effort," says Edward R.B. McCabe, M.D., Ph.D., March of Dimes Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer.

The Women and Children's Unit at SSRH features six labor/delivery/recovery birthing suites, three surgical suites for patients who undergo Cesarean section deliveries, two postpartum suites, two triage suites and an advanced infant electronic security system. Loretta Jordan, Director of Women & Children's Services at SSRH, says, "We delivered over 600 babies last year, and our goal is to always provide safe, quality health care for newborns and their mothers. We offer labor and delivery services that balance technology with a family-oriented environment. Participating in this March of Dimes initiative enhances our mission to bring healthy babies into the world."

Find out how you can help prevent premature birth and birth defects by joining March for Babies at marchforbabies.org.