Perinatal Safety
Perinatal Safety Collaborative
Project
Ending Elective Deliveries Before 39 Weeks Gestation
In 2007, 44% of births were scheduled c-section or induced births. Of those, an estimated 71% were not medically necessary.
This project is a multidisciplinary, regional effort to implement ACOG/AAP guidelines in hopes of reducing elective deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation to reduce the prevalence of birth trauma. There is also a Patient Education component to raise awareness among pregnant women and expecting fathers about the importance of waiting until 39 weeks to deliver if the pregnancy is healthy.
Researchers estimate that if hospitals implemented ACOG/AAP guidelines, 500,000 NICU days could be avoided with a savings of $1 billion dollars each year.
Achieve early elective delivery rate of <=5% of deliveries between 37 & 38.6 weeks by December 2013.
