Working together to improve the health of moms and babies in our community
The March of Dimes Ohio Chapter and our partner organizations are helping moms have healthier pregnancies and babies begin healthier lives. Below are some programs where our grants and awards are making a difference.
Smoking during pregnancy increases a baby’s risk of being born too soon. Knowing smoking is harmful is one thing. Knowing how to quit for 39 weeks and not to start smoking again after the baby is born is another. This can make an impact beyond pregnancy: a nonsmoking household means babies can grow up without the risks associated with second-hand smoke. It also means moms have a lower risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related illnesses.
This education and support program combines essential components of prenatal care: health assessments, education and group support. Our program graduates and participants make us proud: The evidence-based approach to prenatal support has been shown to reduce c-sections, premature births and low-birthweight babies. The grant from the Ohio Chapter is used to implement this program at local community medical centers.