Premature birth is the leading cause of infant mortality in the nation, and the phenomenon of pre-term labor and prematurity is more common than most people think. In fact, in El Dorado County about 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, a number that mirrors the state average.

Over the last few years, Health Promotions at Marshall Medical Center has teamed up with March of Dimes to raise awareness about premature birth and to educate people about recognizing signs of pre-term labor. The OB/GYN and maternity teams at Marshall also have implemented special protocols to ensure effective handling of pre-term labor situations and reduce premature births.

The mission of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is to both raise public awareness about the problem and substantially reduce the national rate of premature birth.

Certificates were presented to OB/GYN physicians and staff, as well as the staff of Marshall’s maternity unit, The Birth Place. Marshall Assistant Administrator, Shannon Truesdell, RN, was on hand to accept the recognition.

The visit coincided with the month-long November health observance of National Prematurity Awareness Month.

Facts about prematurity:

Pre-term labor is labor that begins prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy.

1 out of 10 babies in El Dorado County are born prematurely.

Other leading causes of infant mortality have decreased in the past 10 years, but prematurity has increased.

National estimates for hospital in-patient stays due to prematurity are $13.6 billion per year.

The cost of physical and developmental disabilities across the lifetime of a premature baby can easily exceed $1 million.

All pregnant women need to be educated about the signs and symptoms of pre-term labor so they can seek immediate medical attention.