TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Fred H. Madden that would designate May of 2006 as “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Month” to highlight the importance of prenatal care to help expectant mothers carry to full term and work to reduce premature births was approved today by the full Senate.
“Proper prenatal care is essential for the health of expectant mothers and the development of their babies,” said Senator Madden, D-Camden and Gloucester. “Because complications are the leading cause of infant death during the first month of life, it is imperative that we set aside time to educate expectant parents on the key steps to promoting healthy pregnancy, delivering strong babies and teaching the proper way to care for them after they are born.”
Senator Madden’s resolution, SR-12, would declare May of 2006 as “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Month,” here in New Jersey. The resolution would work to help raise public awareness about premature births by promoting the importance of educating expectant mothers, while stressing the need for increased research funding, community service grants and educational programs.
Premature birth can be cause by a number of factors including stress, malnutrition, a weakened cervix and substance abuse.
