Like the rest of the southeastern states, Georgia got an “F” when the March of Dimes released its 2009 Premature Birth Report Cards. (The national rate is 12.7 percent, one of the worst among developed nations.) While at 13.6 percent we have by no means the highest rate in the nation, it’s still shameful.
In addition to premature birth rate, the March of Dimes also examines three contributing factors:
Uninsured women – Here in Georgia, 22.3 percent of women do not have health insurance. Take a moment and let that number sink in. Now think about what being uninsured would mean if you were pregnant. (I don’t have statistics, but I also know that many women who are insured do not have maternity coverage.) Anyone who’s talked to me since I gave birth knows how overmedicalized I think the process is, but regular prenatal care is vital for mother’s and baby’s well-being. In a state known for socially conservative values, including a vibrant pro-life movement, letting this many women and their unborn children go without healthcare is an outrage.
Women smoking – Almost 21 percent of Georgia women smoke. You don’t need me to tell you how unhealthy and just plain nasty smoking is. I have some difficulty feeling sympathetic toward a pregnant woman with a cigarette in her hand, but I realize that it’s an addiction and quitting is not easy. I wonder if the state sponsors any smoking cessation programs.
Late preterm births (34-36 weeks) – Georgia is sitting at 9.9% of births falling in this range. While some of these happen naturally, the Report Card links the national rise in late preterm births to the increasing prevalence of c-sections and inductions. I could (and probably will) spend many more posts on my birthing soapbox, but for now I’ll just say that God designed our bodies to give birth. I trust that design. In a few cases, genuine, endangering complications arise, and I’m thankful that we have the medical expertise to deal with those few cases. As for the majority of births, let the body do what it’s supposed to do.
So what do I as a concerned mother and citizen of the state of Georgia do about all this, besides complain about it? For starters, I’m thinking about contacting my state representatives and asking them if they have seen this report and what they plan to do about it. (And if I get more than a form letter back, I’ll post about it here.) If you want to do the same, you can find your state elected officials’ contact information here.
(Thanks to SouthernMamas for bringing this sobering news to my and other readers’ attention.)
