Why is this measure important?

It is best for pregnant women to give birth after the 39th week of pregnancy. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s brain and lungs are not fully developed. Sometimes, there is a medical reason for birth before 39 weeks. If there is not a medical reason for an early (elective) delivery before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy, the delivery should not be scheduled.

What does this measure show?

This measure shows the percentage of pregnant women who

• had elective deliveries 1-3 weeks early (either vaginally or by C-section) AND
• the early delivery was not medically necessary.

For this measure, a lower number is better.