Less than a year after First Lady Linda Daugaard issued a challenge to hospitals throughout the state, all 24 birthing hospitals in South Dakota have pledged to help reduce early elective deliveries.
Early elective deliveries are babies born before 39 weeks of pregnancy for non-medical reasons. Colleen Winter, Division Director of Family and Community Health, with the South Dakota Department of Health says it’s a positive sign that South Dakota birthing hospitals recognize the health dangers from an EED…..

Winter says there are a number of risks associated with babies being born too soon…….

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends against induced labor or cesarean sections before 39 weeks of pregnancy unless there is a medical necessity.

Winter said induced labor for medical reasons would not be affected with this pledge.