There are rising numbers of premature babies being born in the United States, with the state of Virginia making little progress in reducing the numbers of such births, and for the second year in a row, it again managed to get a D on a March of Dimes report card.

According to the report, 12.1% of all babies born in Virginia were born prematurely, with the state failing to meet the national goal of 7.6%, which is still a long way off.

Premature babies are not only at risk of dying in their first month, they are also at a higher risk for developmental delays, long term learning disabilities, including psychological problems.

It is important for babies to have a healthy start, which is why the March of Dimes fought to bring about many changes in Virginai, including banning smoking in restaurants to take effect in December.

As well, the March of Dimes pushed to ensure women took folic acid to prevent birth defects, including getting the state to legislate 29-tests for all newborns before they left the hospital.