Study: Almost half the women in Crawford County smoke during pregnancy.
GRAYLING -- There's some alarming news related to the health of babies and mothers in Northern Michigan.
Several counties in region rank the lowest in the state.
The Kids County Report was released earlier this week, and now we're taking a closer look at the county that ranked the worst in our area.
The study looked at data from 2005 to 2009. Indicators like teen births to smoking during pregnancy were reviewed and Crawford County's results are the second worst in the state.
Lori Wightman, Chief Nursing Officer for Mercy Hospital Grayling says, "We have a lot of mothers under 20, a lot of single mothers, and a lot of mothers who haven't finished their high school diploma. What's really striking is the number of mothers who haven't stopped smoking."
The Kids Count study shows that almost 50% Crawford County mothers are smoking during their pregnancy and continue after the birth of their child.
Lori Wightman says, "Smoking affects the fetus. After birth the concern is the respiratory impact on a child."
Wightman says even though most of these mothers know smoking can have a negative impact on their baby, it doesn't stop them from lighting up.
The study also reveals that the county has a high infant mortality rate. While the county only delivered 134 babies, seven died before the age of one.
Wightman says bad sleeping practices lead to many of these deaths. Many women don't put the baby to sleep in its crib and leave them in bed or on the couch.
Wightman says,” We’re finding we are doing a great job with prenatal care, but once they go home there's a lot of support the baby needs in the first year."
She hopes to be able to provide more resources for the women in the area and is actively working with Governor Snyder's office to find a solution to these problems.
