Preterm birth prevention outreach and education

The Whole Nine Months

The Whole Nine Months is the original national public health campaign of the Western Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative which aims to safely lower the rate of preterm birth by combining the latest evidence-based clinical practice with educational outreach programs for health care practitioners and the general public.

Ongoing discovery research and evaluation of effectiveness will ensure the initiative remains responsive in this rapidly changing field of medicine. Today, The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance continues to lead this vital initiative.

Information for mothers to be

Learn about interventions for the prevention of preterm birth.

Information for health professionals

Learn about the key practice points for the prevention of preterm birth

Research about preterm birth prevention

The Whole Nine Months is underpinned by ongoing research aimed at improving the effectiveness of clinical strategies.

Preterm birth statistics

• Worldwide, an estimated 13.4 million babies are born preterm each year
• In 2015, preterm birth was responsible for nearly 1 million deaths – World Health Organization.
• Preterm birth is defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy (and after 20 weeks)
• In WA alone, nearly 3,000 babies are born preterm each year – approximately 1 in 12 pregnancies ends preterm.
• Rates of preterm birth among Aboriginal Australians and disadvantaged communities are approximately double.
• Preterm birth is the single greatest cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age in the developed world.
• Immediate care for a single newborn with a birth weight of less than 750 grams typically costs the health system $216,000 and in the range 1.5kg – 2kg around $59,000.

Our partners in The Whole Nine Months

The Whole Nine Months is a joint collaboration between the Women and Infants Research Foundation, The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance, The Australian Government Department of Health and is delivered in conjunction with The Statewide Obstetric Services Unit, Australian Medical Association and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The Women and Infants Research Foundation is proud to have supported and provided funds for The West Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative in 2014, and subsequently received Commonwealth Government funding in 2022 for the national rollout of The Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative, which has reduced preterm births across the country.

Today, The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance continues to lead this vital initiative. The most up to date information on preterm birth prevention strategies can be found here.

WIRF remains deeply committed to preterm birth prevention and alongside this critical work, we continue to drive cutting-edge research focused on improving the health and wellbeing of women, babies, and families.