DOWNERS GROVE – Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital was recognized by the March of Dimes for its commitment to reducing the number of elective deliveries performed before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
Good Samaritan Hospital was among 35 Illinois hospitals that recorded fewer than five percent of births as early elective deliveries during the past six months; each of these hospitals also have policies to avoid scheduling non-medically necessary deliveries before 39 weeks. These requirements were developed by March of Dimes in partnership with the Illinois Hospital Association and Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative.
Babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants. Research by the March of Dimes, the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the risk of death more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy when compared to babies born at 40 weeks.
“Babies born at full-term have fewer illnesses and lower rates of complications then those born early,” said Dr. Vibhaben Thaker, a neonatologist who treats patients at Good Samaritan Hospital. “Therefore, reducing the number of early deliveries can give them the best shot at a healthy life.”
The March of Dimes urges hospitals, health care providers and patients to follow American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ guidelines: for healthy pregnancies, wait for labor to begin on its own. The final weeks of pregnancy are crucial to a baby’s health because many vital organs, including the brain and lungs, are still developing.
In addition to Good Samaritan, six other Advocate Health Care hospitals also made the list: Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Advocate Sherman Hospital and Advocate South Suburban Hospital.