November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges and risks associated with premature birth. World Prematurity Day falls on November 17, joining the efforts of individuals and organizations around the globe, including the March of Dimes, to focus on the profound impact that premature birth has on babies and families.
Each year, 1 in 10 babies in the United States is born prematurely and, for these families, the physical, emotional and financial burdens can be overwhelming. For employers, recognizing the impact of prematurity is essential in providing the support that employees need to navigate these challenges.
ARC Fertility recognizes the complex factors contributing to premature birth and the critical role that employers can play in supporting employees during this vulnerable time. As part of its comprehensive family-forming benefits, ARC is committed to helping employers reduce the risks associated with premature birth while fostering a healthier, more supportive workplace.
By offering high-quality fertility care and family-forming benefits, employers can play a pivotal role in addressing the factors that lead to prematurity, supporting employee well-being and reducing costs related to maternity and neonatal care.
The Importance of Prematurity Awareness for Employers
Premature birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of infant mortality and long-term health complications. Babies born prematurely may face a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, developmental delays and a higher risk of chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. For parents, the emotional toll of having a premature baby is significant and can often lead to anxiety, stress and difficulties balancing work and family life.
For employers, these challenges extend into the workplace. Employees with premature babies may need to take extended time off, experience high levels of stress and struggle with medical expenses associated with neonatal care. Premature births can also lead to increased health care costs for employers due to longer hospital stays, specialized medical interventions and ongoing treatments for developmental challenges.
Employers that recognize the importance of addressing prematurity can take proactive steps to support their workforce by offering comprehensive benefits that reduce the risk of premature births and help employees manage the emotional and financial burdens of prematurity.
ARC Fertility Benefits Can Help Reduce the Risk of Premature Birth
ARC Fertility offers employees high-quality family-forming and fertility care that helps mitigate risks associated with multiple pregnancies and other factors that can lead to preterm labor. Fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), can increase the likelihood of multiple pregnancies, which in turn raises the risk of premature delivery. However, ARC’s evidence-based fertility treatments and personalized care have been validated to minimize the risk of multiples while maximizing the chances of a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
ARC Fertility’s comprehensive benefits include the following key components that contribute to reducing the risk of premature birth:
- Evidence-Based Fertility Treatments:
ARC’s fertility programs emphasize the importance of single-embryo transfers to reduce the likelihood of multiple pregnancies, a leading cause of preterm birth. By promoting best practices in fertility care, including the use of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and personalized fertility plans, ARC helps employees achieve successful pregnancies without increasing the risks of prematurity. - Access to High-Quality Specialists:
ARC’s national network of top-tier fertility clinics is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care. Employees have access to board-certified fertility specialists who are well-versed in reducing risks associated with infertility treatments. These specialists provide personalized guidance and support throughout the fertility journey, helping employees navigate their options with confidence and reducing the likelihood of complications that could result in premature birth. - Comprehensive Prenatal and Postnatal Care:
In addition to fertility treatments, ARC’s family-forming benefits include access to comprehensive prenatal care that helps monitor and manage pregnancies from conception to delivery. Early and consistent prenatal care can identify and address risk factors for pre-term labor, ensuring that expectant mothers receive the necessary interventions to support a full-term pregnancy.
Reducing Financial and Emotional Stress for Employees
The financial and emotional stress associated with premature birth can be overwhelming for employees. From lengthy neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays to ongoing medical care for developmental delays, the costs of premature birth can add up quickly. ARC Fertility’s family-forming benefits are designed to help alleviate these financial burdens by offering affordable, high-quality care and access to a network of specialists who can provide support every step of the way.
- Lowering Health Care Costs for Employers:
Premature births can lead to significant health care expenses for employers due to the high costs of staying in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, specialized medical treatments, and long-term therapies. By investing in ARC’s fertility and family-forming benefits, employers can reduce the incidence of premature births, which in turn helps lower overall health care costs. ARC’s evidence-based treatments and focus on single-embryo transfers contribute to fewer multiple pregnancies and healthier, full-term deliveries. - Supporting Employee Mental Health:
The emotional toll of having a premature baby can affect an employee’s mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. ARC Fertility offers mental health support as part of its comprehensive care, including access to counseling services and emotional support throughout the fertility and pregnancy journey. Employers that provide access to these resources demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being, which can lead to improved retention, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
Why Offering Fertility Benefits Matters for Employers
As Prematurity Awareness Month highlights the importance of addressing the risks of premature birth, employers have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their employees by offering comprehensive fertility and family-forming benefits. Supporting employees on their path to parenthood not only helps reduce the risk of preterm birth but also fosters a more inclusive and compassionate workplace.
Employers that offer ARC Fertility’s benefits can expect:
- Improved Employee Retention: Employees who feel supported in their family-forming journey are more likely to stay with their employer, reducing turnover and associated costs.
- Lower Health Care Costs: By reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies and premature births, employers can lower their overall health care expenses.
- Enhanced Workplace Culture: Offering fertility and family-forming benefits shows that an employer values the well-being of all employees, fostering a culture of support, inclusivity, and care.
Contact us to learn how we can help employers to ensure their workforces receive the care and support they need to build healthier families.