On September 29, 2010 Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced a new bill to reauthorize the PREEMIE Act and further expand federal support for research and services related to preterm birth.
Can you please take a few minutes and ask the Senate to co-sponsor the Preemie Act. Click here to take action now.
This is a press release from the <a href="March of Dimes about Prematurity Awareness Month. It has lots of good information about prematurity and awareness month and day… read on.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 1 2010 – More than half a million babies are born too soon each year and thousands don’t live to celebrate their first birthday as a result.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and people can learn more about the seriousness of premature birth, donate, or create a virtual band to celebrate, honor or remember a baby in their life at the March of Dimes web site – marchofdimes.com/fight.
On November 17, the March of Dimes will mark the 8th annual Prematurity Awareness Day by issuing its 2010 Premature Birth Report Card, which grades the nation and the states on their preterm birth rates.
“We are helping everyone understand the importance of a full-term pregnancy,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “The last few weeks of pregnancy are critical to a baby because many important organs, including the brain, need this time to completely develop.”
Dr. Howse noted that many people do not fully appreciate the importance of the final weeks of pregnancy to a baby. More than two-thirds of new or expectant moms do not know the correct definition of preterm birth, (less than 37 weeks gestation), and most have not discussed the risks and consequences of preterm birth with their healthcare provider, according to a survey by the March of Dimes and its partners. Dr. Howse said early prenatal care, and a discussion about lifestyle habits, any chronic illnesses, and medical history, can give more babies a better chance of a healthy birth by identifying risks early.
Following three decades of increases, the nation achieved its first two- year decline in the preterm birth rate in 2008, a 4 percent drop from 2006. The preliminary preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent in 2008, down from the 2006 final rate of 12.8 percent. The March of Dimes says 79 percent of the decline occurred among babies born just a few weeks too soon.
This improvement is modest, the March of Dimes says, and the fact remains that more than half a million babies are born preterm each year. Preterm birth is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually. It is the leading cause of newborn death, and babies who survive often face the risk of lifetime health challenges, including learning disabilities, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.
March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Day® is sponsored by CIGNA, FedEx, Destination Maternity and Hologic. On Nov. 17, Farmers Insurance, a March of Dimes sponsor, is sponsoring a six-hour marathon of the Discovery Health series NICU, which shows the experiences of babies fighting for their lives in a newborn intensive care unit.
As part of Prematurity Awareness Month®, March of Dimes staff and volunteers nationwide will host vigils, and light buildings in purple to draw attention to the epidemic of preterm birth. The March of Dimes also has been working with organizations in Africa, Australia and Europe that are raising awareness about the consequences of preterm births.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Did you know that the rate of premature birth in America is higher than that of most other developed nations. Or, how about premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns? No? Well, read on…
One in eight babies born in our country is premature. That’s 543,000 babies born too soon each year, and my Little Miss T was one of them.
And, did you know that our nation scores a “D” when it comes to premature birth. Yes, you read that right, a “D”. You can see the nation map by clicking here. Click on each state to read that state’s report card.
The rate of premature birth has risen more than 30 percent since 1981. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. The March of Dimes is leading the fight for answers. And, ultimately, prevention.
When I was pregnant with Little Miss T, I never thought I would be a March of Dimes statistic or know the life of a NICU parent. I never thought my baby would have to fight to breathe or rely on machines to live. What happened to me was sudden, severe and god awful. I never want that to happen to any mother, family and especially to any other baby. All babies deserve to be born healthy.
On Wednesday, November 17, in recognition of the March of Dimes 8th Annual Prematurity Awareness Day, I will be joining other bloggers in the blogosphere to raise awareness and help fight prematurity. Won’t you join me?
During November, Prematurity Awareness Month, March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on the serious crisis of premature birth (birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). A special Web site includes the 2010 state-by-state and national Premature Birth Report Cards, information on the importance of the last weeks of pregnancy, and ways you can help premature babies.
November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis. Take 3 steps to help fight premature birth:
1. Visit marchofdimes.com/fight.
2. Put a badge on your blog to help spread the word.
3. On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others.
We need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to.
Thanks, Dad for your naval service.
Thank you to all who have served, past and present.
We’re back from Boston and it’s been go, go, go since we arrived home. The end of October was met with saying a final farewell to beloved family member, celebrating a Baptism, running around to Little Miss T’s various Halloween festivities, finding a place to call our (temporary) “home”, packing and fighting off colds.
On top of that, Little Miss T is mobile- she’s crawling and keeping me on my toes! I need to get this kid a helmet. She’s up into everything and having so much fun. I love it. She’s doing pretty well in the teething department, too. She has her first four teeth coming through- all around the same time- and seems to be handling it well.
I finally downloaded some recent photos and video so hopefully I’ll have some catch up posts coming soon. Hope all is well with everyone else!
One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house you lived in… what kind of car you drove… what your bank balance was… but what will matter is that you were important in the life of a child.
-Adapted from a quote by Forest Witcraft
Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.
-Danny Thomas
We’re off on a last minute trip to Boston. We literally just booked our tickets yesterday and here we are scrambling to get everything ready to go! I’m so excited to introduce Little Miss T to her extended family and our friends, show her the fall colors and play in piles of leaves with her. We do have some business to attend to back there but it should be plenty of time for fun in Beantown.
Tooth! We have a tooth starting to poke through! I can feel it, I can see it!
It’s on the bottom front and I think the one next to it isn’t too far away, either.
Ah, how bittersweet… Little Miss T is growing up but I still want my baby 🙂
The greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.
-Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
It Feels Like Home 