Georgia Scores D On Premature Birth Report Card

Preterm births have worsened nationwide over the last three years and babies in Georgia are especially at risk, according to a report by the March of Dimes released this week.

Every year 350 babies die in Georgia from complications of prematurity, officials said. That’s more than one-third of infant deaths in the state.

Georgia received a below-average grade of D after a slight increase in premature births were reported.The March of Dimes released its premature birth report card on Thursday, giving Georgia a below-average grade of D. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports.

Stacey Stewart, the organization’s president, said there are challenges in the state that must be addressed to make sure babies and mothers are healthy.

“The [premature birth] rate has remained relatively the same, although there was a slight increase in premature birth rate in Georgia from 11.2 percent to 11.4 percent,” Stewart said.

She said the upcoming midterm elections are important for healthcare, and funding more research is one of the ways leaders can help.

"We don't take any position on any candidate," Stewart said. "What we take a position on making sure every candidate stands for moms and babies."

Georgia needs to improve healthcare access in rural areas and access to Medicaid and maternity care coverage, Stewart said.

Some of the issues that contribute to Georgia’s preterm birth rate include obesity and diabetes. Stewart said the report may have also found stress to put expecting mothers and their children at risk.

“One of the things that we've been understanding and seeing more of is the fact that if women are also experiencing other kinds of external stressors that could be impacting our health, then that could also impact the health of the baby as well,” Stewart said.

Though the underlying causes of preterm births are unknown, Stewart said preventative care is important. Interventions like group prenatal care — spaces that provide adequate maternity care and support from other pregnant women — and not engaging in risky behaviors like substance abuse could lower the risk.

However, even when a mother takes care of her body while pregnant and takes measures to protect herself and her child, that doesn’t completely erase the risk of premature birth.

MORE: 37 Percent Of Georgia Counties Considered 'Maternity Care Deserts'

“There are many cases — again, because we don't know and don't understand all the causes of premature birth — that a woman may have a premature birth and she may have done everything that she needed to do,” Stewart said. “She's gone to all of her prenatal care visits, she has had all access, all the right nutrition, she's done all the things that she needs to do and still she may have a premature birth.”

Regardless of income, education or location, Stewart said premature birth is an issue that could impact women and children from all walks of life.

The March of Dimes pushes for reform so that maternal healthcare reaches all Georgia women, especially those who are in rural areas or women of color. Stewart said that local, state and federal officials should play an active role in ensuring more women and babies are healthy.

“Politics should not be a matter of consideration when it comes to health of women,” Stewart said. “I think everyone in this country and everyone in Georgia can agree that having healthy babies is an important priority and there's nothing that should come before that.”