Why We Need a Policy Change (Part II)

Another potential impact on women and their families would be:

2) To decrease the number of premature (babies born before 37 weeks gestation) births.

Premature birth rate in the U.S. is up 29% since 1981.

Premature babies are at increased risk for newborn health complications, as well as lasting disabilities, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, lung and gastrointestinal problems, vision and hearing loss, and even death.

Many premature infants will need to be cared for in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Info from: http://search.marchofdimes.com/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=6&page_id=9896192&query=risks+of+premature+babies&hiword=PREMATURELY+PREMATURES+PREMATURITY+PREMATURLY+PREMATURO+PREMATUROS+PREMATURY+RISK+RISKO+RISKY+babies+of+premature+risks+