Preterm Labor and Birth: For Patients and Consumers

General Information

• NICHD’s National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP)
  NCMHEP provides a forum for reviewing, translating, and disseminating new research in the field of maternal and child health to a coalition of the nation's most prominent health care provider associations, federal agencies, nonprofit maternal and child health organizations, and other partners. NCMHEP’s Initiative to Reduce Elective Deliveries Before 39 Weeks of Pregnancy created the video “Is It Worth It?” in full-length (4 minutes, 11 seconds), 60-second, and 30-second versions, and compiled information for moms-to-be.
• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
  ACOG provides resources and information on obstetric and gynecological issues, including preterm birth: Frequently Asked Questions on early preterm birth (PDF – 282 KB).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics is the nation's principal health statistics agency. Read the center's 2009 report on preterm birth, Born a Bit Too Early: Recent Trends in Late-Preterm Births (PDF – 691 KB).
• March of Dimes
  The March of Dimes Foundation provides information as part of its mission to prevent preterm birth. Read more about preterm birth in the in-depth article "Your Premature Baby." The foundation has additional information about its activities on the pages about its Prematurity Campaign.

Services, Resources, and Support

• Graham's Foundation
  The foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer both practical and emotional support to parents of extremely preterm infants.
• PreemieCare
  This nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting families of infants born preterm, through education, support, and resources.
• Share Your Story
  This online community sponsored by the March of Dimes Foundation is for families with infants in neonatal intensive care units.
• Sidelines National Support Network
  The network is a nonprofit organization providing support for women and their families experiencing complicated pregnancies and preterm births.

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from the NICHD, NIH, or HHS.