Petition for Preemies
- 1. We urge the federal government to increase support for prematurity-related research and data collection as recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the Surgeon General’s Conference on the Prevention of Preterm Birth, to:
- 2. We urge federal and state policymakers to expand access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and to support smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care.
- 3. We call on hospitals and health care professionals to voluntarily assess c-sections and inductions that occur prior to 39 weeks gestation to ensure consistency with professional guidelines*.
- 4. We call on businesses to create workplaces that support maternal and infant health.
View our 14 recommendations. (workplacecriteria.pdf, 90kb)
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that, unless medically indicated, scheduled deliveries should be after 39 weeks. This is because biological variations and uncertainties in estimating the beginning of a pregnancy introduces inaccuracies when assigning the due date. Preterm birth rates can be reduced by performing scheduled deliveries after 39 weeks.
November is when we focus the nation’s attention on the impact premature birth has on babies and families, and on the opportunities for prevention.
Today more than 1,400 babies in the U.S. will be born prematurely. Many will be too small and too sick to go home.
Instead, they face weeks or even months in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complication, and death; however, most eventually will go home.
You can let everyone know it's time to do more to help moms have healthy full-term babies.
Sign the Petition
Help us urge the new president and Congress to make progress for preemies, sign the petititon on the left side of this page.
Spread the Word
Bloggers, write a post or put the purple widget or button on your blog.
NICU families, join Share Your Story
Professionals, review our online resources
Get the data from Peristats
or just Donate Now!
Do More
Create a motherhood-friendly work environment, View our 14 recommendations. (workplacecriteria.pdf, 90kb)
Read up on Prematurity-related Research , c-sections and Inductions
Get Involved. Take Action.
Pregnant or planning on getting pregnant? Get the Facts.
Before Pregnancy
If You’re Pregnant
Inductions, C-Section and Preterm Birth
Come back on November 12th to get your state’s grade