Premature Births Are Fueling Higher Rates of Infant Mortality in U.S., Report Says

I think this is a state-by-state thing, but in my state, regardless of gestation, if the baby shows signs of life, it is counted as a live birth. Medically for the mother it is counted as a miscarriage but for statistical purposes if there is any movement at all, or a definite pulse, it is counted as a live birth and must have a birth and death certificate. So technically, I guess we have some 15 and 16 weekers figuring into our mortality stats as well. At least in my state.

But without knowing exactly how other countries define this same thing, it's hard to tell whether it actually confounds our statistics or not. I've heard some of the same things already posted in this thread but it would be interesting to find out at what gestation countries like the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, or heck, even Argentina (just to name a few) resuscitate aggresively or count as a 'live birth.' Interesting topic.

I know, it drives me crazy and that's the reason I want to become a midwife. I believe that the reason I ended up with a C-section, due to my daughter being in fetal distress, was because of the medical interventions like breaking my water and use of pitocin. I'll obviously never know for sure, but it is something that's always bothered me. I'm thinking of getting pregnant again but the statistics of our country worries me!

But without knowing exactly how other countries define this same thing, it's hard to tell whether it actually confounds our statistics or not. I've heard some of the same things already posted in this thread but it would be interesting to find out at what gestation countries like the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, or heck, even Argentina (just to name a few) resuscitate aggresively or count as a 'live birth.' Interesting topic.