Each year more babies are being delivered earlier than the recommended time frame. A shorter pregnancy may sound pleasant for some mothers, particularly during the end stages, but it increases the risk of your baby facing serious health risks. The last weeks count; your baby is worth the wait!

We know you can’t wait to meet your baby face to face. But allowing him or her those final weeks gives your baby the time he or she needs to grow. There are lots of important things happening to your baby in the last few weeks of pregnancy. While some babies must be born early for medical reasons, more and more births are being scheduled early for non-medical reasons. Do not elect for an early, scheduled delivery for the convenience of yourself, your family, or your health care provider.

Babies born early have a higher risk of:

• developing a respiratory illness and a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• not being able to control their body temperature, due to their small size and having less body fat to protect against the cold
• developing infection because their immune systems are not always fully developed
• breathing problems, infection, and bad sleeping patterns

Learn the facts about the importance of waiting for the birth of your baby. Visit the March of Dimes website for more information or talk to your doctor about the importance of the final weeks of your pregnancy.