By Tracey Early (WSPA)
At 32 weeks, Julie Eddy is ready to meet her baby boy. Though she’s happy to wait.
“We still want to get a little bit farther along but we’re definitely ready for him,” said Eddy.
Doctors are pushing for every mom-to-be in South Carolina to have that same mindset.
Dr. Edward Heidtman, an OBGYN at Bon Secours St. Francis, says the days of moms planning to deliver early are gone.
“You might have some of those external pressures to try and deliver a baby when it’s convenient. I think moms get towards the end of pregnancy and it’s a tough time,” said Dr. Heidtman. “I think they have good intentions.”
Now he’s working with other doctors to change that culture.
It’s part of the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative to cut down on early inductions and elective c-sections that aren’t medically necessary.
In 2013, all 45 birthing hospitals in the state signed a written pledge. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System no longer allows elective deliveries before 39 weeks.
Dr. Heidtman says it’s crucial for the health of the baby.
“Babies that are born a little bit premature, even a week or two, and certainly three or four weeks early, can have respiratory difficulties. They can have problems feeding and swallowing. They may not thrive as well. They’ll be more prone to infections,” said Dr. Heidtman.
It also saves the state big bucks.
According to the SC Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid covers 57% all births in South Carolina. This initiative is expected to save $11.25 million in Medicaid costs by 2018.
Dr. Heidtman says it has already helped reduce the number of early elective deliveries at Bon Secours St. Francis to well under one percent.
The campaign is paying off statewide as well. DHHS says there’s been a 70% decrease in early elective deliveries that weren’t medically necessary since this initiative started.
Doctors say it’s a joint effort by healthcare providers, insurers and programs like the March of Dimes.
You can help in the effort by joining the March For Babies this spring. To sign up in your area, click here.