November is here and it's Prematurity Awareness Month. With Nov 17th being awareness day.
The March of Dimes is working hard to educate people about prematurity and the costs it can have on a family.
Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States. Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That’s serious cause for concern.
Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities. Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns.
These facts are just crazy to me. Most people at least know someone who has been affected by a premature infant if they themselves have not been directly affected. Most women, including myself, were oblivious to ever having anything other than a healthy full term baby. Unfortunately this is not always the case and awareness is the best way to educate.
Like me, 40% of women will never know why they delivered early. Sometimes it just happens and happens quick. The March of Dimes is working to wipe out the unknown and make it preventable.
While many preemies don't make it, we are fortunate to have B here with us to keep. Brayden survived but will have lifelong disabilities as a direct result from being premature.
Please join in the fight to help all babies be born full term and healthy. Know the signs, get educated, and spread the word about preemies!
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2 Sweet Comments:
I'm part of that 40% also. Thank you for bringing awareness to others and sharing your experience with Brayden. He is so amazing and I've loved reading his story.
I was having a super easy and non-complicated pregnancy and then at 30 weeks went into labor and our son was born. We were fortunate that he was very healthy and had no complications. He is now a very energetic kindergartener and we have been involved with MoD since he was born.
Our daughter was born on her due date with a combination of lots of doctor appts, bed rest, and progesterone shots!
It was an amazing experience to have two totally different pregnancies and two little miracles.
Thanks again for sharing your story. Being part of this 40% is not fun. Like you, I expected nothing less than a full term pregnancy. Knowing what I know now, makes me want to educate others and hopefully we will see a day when all babies are full term!
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