Exposing the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes has announced a major fund raising effort to understand and battle premature deliveries. March of Dimes medical director Dr. Nancy Green told Time magazine that the 27 percent rise in premature births over the last few decades "is a mystery."

Dr. Green's claim that the rise in premature birth rates is a mystery reflects either a distressing ignorance of the medical literature or a calculated case of selective recall.

At least 48 published studies have shown significantly higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight deliveries among women with a history of abortion.(1-48) One of the best, a Danish record based study (1), found the risk doubled after just one abortion. Multiple abortions increase the risk even more. A doubling of risk among an estimated one-fourth of delivering women who have a prior history of abortion would result in a 25 percent rise overall.

The only real mystery surrounding the 27 percent rise in premature delivery rates among the post-Roe generation of women is why the March of Dimes has failed to call attention to this major risk factor. Their fact sheets downplay the risk of abortion, stating only that women are at higher risk of premature delivery if they "have had more than three abortions or miscarriages." Other risk factors such as drinking, smoking, and drug use are also elevated by a history of abortion.

The March of Dimes professes that its position on abortion is one of neutrality. This is a good position to be in if one is trying to gather in donations from as large an audience as possible.

But the fact that the March of Dimes encourages prenatal screening for birth defects that can only be "treated" by abortion does not support the claim that they are neutral. Instead, it supports the view that the March of Dimes is encouraging eugenic targeting of "unfit" children that do not "deserve to be born." Their refusal to aggressively educate the public about the role abortion plays in heightening the risk posed to subsequent pregnancies is another sign that their claim of neutrality is a just a veneer over a pro-abortion, eugenic-minded "charity."

According to the March of Dimes, "In 2000, hospital charges for 23,000 pre-maturity-related infant stays totaled $1.2 billion. The average charge was $58,000 per baby, compared to $4,300 for a typical newborn stay." Treatment of these children through employer health plans is estimated at $4.7 billion per year. One fifth of these costs may be is attributable to extra cases of prematurity arising from abortion-related morbidity.

Premature birth is the leading cause of neonatal death and is related to increased risk of cerebral palsy, vision and hearing loss, retardation and other lifelong health problems.

You can register your complaints about the March of Dimes coverup by calling 1-888-MODIMES.

The list of 48 studies showing abortion's relationship to premature birth and low birth rate deliveries were compiled by Brent Rooney.

David Reardon, Ph.D., is the director of the Elliot Institute in Springfield, Illinois.

Prof. Barbara Luke and the 'Preemie' risk of Abortion

Prof. Barbara Luke and the 'Preemie' risk of

Brent Rooney (Nov. 2002)

Professor Barbara Luke in her classic book wrote, "If you have had one or more induced abortions, your risk of prematurity with this pregnancy increases by about 30 percent." (Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth, 1995, p 32). How well qualified is Luke to have written this 239 page book? Consider the following quotes from highly respected medical doctors:

1. "This compete and accurate book should have great appeal to the discriminating woman who is pregnant or planning preg- nancy, as a means of maximizing her chances for a success- ful pregnancy." -Roy M. Pitkin, M.D., editor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

2. "Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth is an important contemporary book that should be recommended for today's pregnant women, women considering pregnancy, and all those professionals who attend the health care of women." -George D. Wilbanks, Jr. M.D., president, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

3. "Based upon scientific data which have been shown to be associated with a reduction in preterm births and very user-friendly in its approach, this book is ideal for women with a history of preterm deliveries, and even for medical providers." -E. Albert Reece, M.D. professor OB/GYN and internal medicine, director, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine

4. "Based on her extensive clinical experience and her vast scientific knowledge, Dr. Luke presents practical infor- mation to women. As women increasingly recognize the im- portance of self-education and self-help, this book is timely. As one who has contributed to our understanding about the risk factors, prematurity and especially, work in pregnancy, Luke has an authoritative and clear voice." -Timothy R.B. Johnson, M.D., chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Bates Professor of Diseases of Women and Children, University of Michigan Medical School

[the prior 4 quotes are from the back cover of Every Pregnant Woman's Guide to Preventing Premature Birth (1995) [preface by Emile Papiernik], New York: Times Books]

There is no more respected person in the field of prematurity risk factors than Dr. Emile Papiernik of France. Dr. Papiernik lead a French national program that reduced preterm birth rates by over 30%. Papiernik wrote the preface to Luke's 1995 book and stated:

"I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Luke's book [EPWG..] to every pregnant woman and her family as the "best medicine" to help ensure a healthy pregnancy."

Professor Barbara Luke's credentials and memberships

"Barbara Luke, Sc.D., M.P.H., R.D., R.N., received her nursing and public health degrees from Columbia University , her degree in nutrition from New York University, and her doctorate in science from John Hopkins University. Currently she is associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Dietetic Association, the American Public Health Association, and the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians, Barbara Luke is the author of eight medical textbooks as well as research and review articles on obstetrics, nutrition, and public health. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan." (EPWG.., "About the Author", after page 239)

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