“Saving Babies” Campaign

 Fairfax County Health Department’s “Saving Babies” Campaign focuses on Prenatal Health & Premature Labor

April 22, 2008

While infant mortality and low birth weights levels in Fairfax County are significantly lower than national averages, the Fairfax County Health Department is expanding their efforts to further reduce these rates. The Health Department has mobilized the Saving Babies Coalition, which is focusing outreach initiatives on educating women about lifestyle choices that will promote healthy women and ultimately healthy babies. This “Saving Babies” initiative is part of an information campaign to focus outreach initiatives on educating women about lifestyle choices that will increase awareness and reduce infant mortality among county residents.

Outreach initiatives will center on educating women about healthy lifestyle choices while using a social making campaign to educate both high risk populations and the general public about the benefits of folic acid and the importance of knowing the signs of preterm labor. County residents will begin to see more reminders, as the Health Department seeks to reach the public with these important health messages.

One of the educational goals of “Saving Babies” is to stress the importance of good health before a women gets pregnant. Research has repeatedly demonstrated the importance of a prenatal diet rich in folic acid. This diet plus a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid reduces the risk of certain birth defects by as much as 80 percent.

The education program also promotes the need to recognize and appropriately respond to the signs and symptoms of pre-term labor. Just like the signs of a cardiac arrest or stroke, the public needs to be able to recognize the signs of premature labor. Pregnant women experiencing contractions, pelvic pressure, change in vaginal discharge, leaking of fluid, low dull backache, menstrual-like cramps and abdominal cramps should know to seek immediate medical advice.

The Saving Babies Coalition consists of 25 public and private members representing both public and private entities who are committed to promoting positive pregnancy outcomes in the Fairfax community. Some of the coalition members include the March of Dimes, Northern Virginia Perinatal Council, Fairfax County Public Schools, and the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team. Supported by a Virginia Department of Health grant of $100,000, the “Saving Babies” initiative is part of a statewide information campaign to address these significant community concerns.

The Health Department has already sponsored a series of County employee brown bag lunches entitled “Healthy Today for a Healthy Future.” These programs have provided health information resources and incentives and focus on having a healthy lifestyle and pregnancy. Additionally, the preconceptual health trainings are being offered to community groups throughout the County. Another outreach effort is to provide prenatal classes to pregnant Spanish speaking women. These training sessions will be offered in Spanish.

For more information about Health Department programs and services, call 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.