Birth Centers: What Pregnant Moms Need to Know When Choosing One! Labor and Delivery

A baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature. Preterm births have increased by more than 33 percent since 1981. In 2012, 11.5 percent were preterm and 29 percent of those births were before 34 weeks. Advances in care have led to improved survival rates of extremely preterm infants. This has resulted in an increase in the length of stay of infants in the NICU since many infants born before 28 weeks have medical complications. 

When choosing a birthing center it’s important to know about its access to a NICU and plan in case of emergency during pregnancy.