AABC Strong Start

AABC Strong Start was a program offered through many AABC birth centers across the US from 2013 to 2016 to help give newborns a strong start on life. Strong Start provided prenatal Birth Center care, combined with client education, to expectant mothers at the highest risk for complications. For those with physical and psychosocial risk factors, and those more racially and ethnically diverse, the Strong Start program aimed at helping prevent preterm birth, low birthweight, and costly interventions. Strong Start's goal was to help a high-risk woman to have the healthiest baby possible by giving her the support, help, and knowledge to become and stay healthy during pregnancy. A diverse group of more than 8,300 women participated in AABC’s Strong Start program at 46 birth centers, with more than 6,100 Strong Start births. AABC is using the data collected from the Strong Start program to learn more about factors which contribute to preterm birth as well as how to prevent preterm births. For additional information about AABC Strong Start, visit http://www.birthcenters.org/?page=strongstart