According to the last Kids Count, a statistical report of all 67 counties in Alabama and published by Voices for Alabama’s Children, Dallas County ranked among the lowest in the state in key birth and infant mortality categories.

In an effort to better educate expectant mothers the crucial importance of quality pre-natal care, Vaughan Regional Medical Center is organizing a free, two-session pre-natal class.

According to Merrill South, Vaughan’s director of Community Relations, the sessions will provide information on the mother’s health before and after delivery, childbirth and newborn health.

The class is designed for those expectant mothers in the seventh month of their pregnancy. Those attending can bring one guest with them although no children are allowed.

“We also offer a tour of the birthing suites, nursery and post-partum rooms,” South said of the course. “Education and knowledge are the most powerful tools in fighting these statistics. Classes such as these are beneficial to young parents as they prepare for this new state in their lives.”

The last Kids Count, which was released last month, lists Dallas County as 66 out of 67 Alabama counties in the number of births to unmarried teens and 55 out of 67 counties in the number of low weight births. Although better than the state average, Dallas County ranks 18th in the state in infant mortality. These statistics were pulled from the most recent information, which is from 2008.

In 2008, 139 births were delivered to unmarried teens, an improvement over the base year of 1998 when 195 unmarried teens gave birth. As for low weight births, the county also saw an improvement in 2008 compared to 1998, with 90 births classified as low weight.

The only category where Dallas County did not improve was in infant mortality. In 2008 10 infants died compared to nine in the 1998 base number.

South said Vaughan was paying for the complimentary class and that members of the Vaughan staff would be teaching the curriculum.

“Members of our OB/GYN nursing staff teach the pre-natal courses,” South said. “Instructors welcome questions, comments, concerns, and offer valuable insight into what can often be an exciting yet intimidating time for young mothers and families.”

The two-session class will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 6-9 p.m. in the pediatrics classroom on the second floor of Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

To register, expectant mothers are asked to call 418-4450.