Wyoming's getting a "B" when it comes to pre-term birth rates.
The latest figures show the state has a 10.2% premature birth rate, which according to the March of Dimes study, has continued to decline since 2006. That year, the preterm birth rate was 12.8%.
March of Dimes' goal by 2020 would be to make it 9.6% across all states.
The preterm birth percentage comes from a compilation of all live births that occur with less than 37 completed weeks gestation. The group says early birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the US, which is why they are working with states to identify causes and prevention strategies.
They say one way to help lower the percentage is to educate woman on the negative effects of smoking during pregnancy. The group is urging policy-makers to immediately implement comprehensive coverage of smoking cessation.
Some of the other known strategies to prevent preterm birth are progesterone treatments for medically eligible women, lowering the number of pregnancies from infertility treatments that result in multiples, and preventing medically unnecessary c-sections and inductions before 39 weeks of pregnancy.
Four states received an "A" on the March of Dimes 2012 Premature Birth Report Card. Those include Oregon, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Nebraska and Colorado also received a "B".
Preterm birth rate range:
- A - Preterm birth rate less than or equal to 9.6%
- B - Preterm birth rate greater than 9.6%, but less than 11.3%
- C - Preterm birth rate greater than 11.3%, but less than 12.9%
- D - Preterm birth rate greater than 12.9%, but less than 14.6%
- F - Preterm birth rate greater than 14.6%
