First Lady Karen Pence announced the Labor of Love campaign today at Riley Hospital at IU Health.

 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO): Wednesday afternoon, First Lady Karen Pence and the Indiana State Department of Health announced the launch of a new infant mortality public awareness campaign called Labor of Love—Helping Indiana Reduce Infant Death. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana consistently ranks in the bottom states nationally for infant mortality, which is defined as the death of a baby before his or her first birthday.

 

“It is a privilege to be able to partner with the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana hospitals, and health care workers all over our state  to promote the new initiative, Labor of Love,” said Mrs. Pence. “Labor of Love gives all pregnant women in Indiana the support they need to give birth to healthy babies. The initiative also focuses on education to insure more Hoosier babies survive their first year of life by promoting simple measures such as safe sleep and calling the help line by dialing 211. Together we can make a real difference in reducing infant mortality in Indiana.” 

 

In 2011, Indiana ranked 46th nationally for infant mortality with a rate of 7.7 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. The national infant mortality rate for the same year was 6.1. In 2012, the state ranked 39^th, with an infant mortality rate of 6.7. From 2003 through 2012, an average of 654 infants died each year in Indiana.

 

The top causes of infant mortality are perinatal complications, congenital malformations (birth defects) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

 

“There are many factors that contribute to infant mortality and equally, there are many ways to help prevent infant death,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “For example, we know that mothers who seek prenatal care as soon as they find out they are pregnant, are five times more likely to deliver healthy babies. Our goal with the Labor of Love campaign is to connect women and new parents with the resources they need to give their babies the best chance at life.”

 

The Labor of Love campaign will focus on the importance of:

·         Early and regular prenatal care;

·         Safe sleep practices;

·         Avoiding tobacco, drugs and alcohol before, during and after pregnancy; and,

·         Breastfeeding.

 

The $1.385 million campaign will run statewide on television, radio, transit, billboards and online. It will begin on January 19, and run through December 31. To learn more about Labor of Love, visit www.LaborofLove.in.gov.