Saving Babies

Saving Babies Coalition

While infant mortality and low birth weights levels in Fairfax County are significantly lower than national averages, the Fairfax County Health Department has expanded efforts to further reduce these rates among county residents.  The Saving Babies Coalition has been mobilized to focus outreach initiatives on educating women about lifestyle choices that will promote healthy women and ultimately healthy babies. 

The “Saving Babies” campaign focuses on educating women about healthy lifestyle choices while educating both high risk populations and the general public about the benefits of folic acid and the importance of knowing the signs of preterm labor.  

Research has consistently shown the importance of a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. A prenatal diet rich in folic acid (which can be achieved by a daily supplement of 400 micrograms of folic acid) reduces the risk of certain birth defects, including spina bifida, by as much as 80 percent.

Another critical factor in more successful pregnancies is the ability 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.

More information can be found at the March of Dimes Web site "My 9 Months,” which was developed by that organization as a resource to give you the information you need — when you need it. Additionally, the Fairfax County Health Department has developed information materials in the following brochures:

FSB Brochure-English
FSB Brochure-Spanish
FSB Folic Acid-English and Spanish
FSB Perterm Labor-English and Spanish

Saving Babies Public Service Announcements from Channel 16 Video On Demand Web page.

• Know the Signs - English
• Know the Signs - Spanish
• Folic Acid  - English
• Folic Acid – Spanish