Opening Statement:
As most of my readers know, I was a preemie, born almost 3-months early at 1lb 9oz. I had a tremendous amount of health issues from the first minute I was born and am still battling the after effects of prematurity as an adult. World Prematurity Day, was created by the March of Dimes and every year on November 17th, we take a moment to show compassion and support for families who are experiencing the anxiety of premature births. By observing World Prematurity Day, it reminds us of babies born too early and the health challenges they can face as they grow up. These little babies need loads of love and support and World Prematurity Day is a chance to show it. It would be great if everyone can join in and wear purple on November 17th.
History Of World Prematurity Day
· World Prematurity Day was created on November 17, 2011 to raise awareness for the millions of children every year who are born prematurely. While technologies and medical procedures in America have increased over the years, preterm babies still carry a huge vulnerability to develop cerebral palsy, delays in development, hearing problems, and sight problems.
· Additionally, while neonatal death in the United States is low in comparison to most of the world, premature births account for a quarter of all neonatal deaths.
· Many reasons why World Prematurity Day was created was to shine a light on the risk and hardships created by premature births, cost-effective and proven solutions, and spreading compassion for families who have experienced premature births.
· There are premature babies that grow up to be completely healthy individuals, with some even becoming notable public figures such as Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein.
World Prematurity Day Timeline
2012 - "Strong Start" Promoted Healthy Babies
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a national group of obstetricians and gynecologists, supported the March of Dimes' campaign urging the public to avoid scheduling a medically unnecessary delivery prior to 39 weeks of pregnancy.
2008 - The March of Dimes Created the Preemie Act
The Preemie Act, launched by the March of Dimes, became law in 2006 and requesting federal support for lifesaving research and education about babies born too early.
The 1990s - Strides in Technology Improved Prematurity
The decade reflected many achievements in successfully treating premature infants born as early as 23 weeks and weighing just over a pound.
The 1980s - Family First
This decade saw many family-centered changes in how to help premature babies — including parental rooming-in policies in hospitals, and older children allowing to help in the infants' care.
How To Observe World Prematurity Day
· Post Pictures on social media
Many people have never seen a premature baby. You can make a difference by posting pictures of preemies on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. It may be unnerving to see such tiny human beings with tubes coming out of their mouths or in incubators. But it's an important way to put the problem of premature babies front and center. Your photo could just start a movement.
· Give A Care Package
Many organizations sponsor care packages for preemies. These gifts contain tiny diapers, bottles, blankets, and in many cases, doll-sized clothes. Some hospitals also provide these packages without charge to families with babies weighing less than three pounds. Or, just go out and buy some things and share them with a new mother.
· Pull Out the Purple
Purple is the official color for National World Prematurity Day. Wear your purple ribbon pin or even get a purple ribbon tattoo. Light your home or office with a purple bulb. Whatever way you can show your support empowers the families who are struggling to keep a premature baby alive. It's a way to do your part to educate and sensitize the community to this unfortunate problem that can affect any one of us.
5 Reasons to Learn More About Premature Births
1. It is why full-term pregnancies are important
Did you know that the brain, lungs, and other organs don't develop until the last few weeks of pregnancy?
2. It is an uphill battle
Each year one in ten American births result in infant mortality.
3. Preemies can grow up to be famous
Many famous historical figures were born prematurely including physicist Albert Einstein, writer Mark Twain, political leader Winston Churchill, French author Victor Hugo, the emperor Napoleon, and scientist Isaac Newton.
4. It produces powerful mother's milk
One interesting thing happens to mothers who deliver premature babies; the milk mothers produce contains special properties including extra minerals, fat, and proteins that these tiny infants need.
5. Gender plays a role
Boys are more likely than girls to be born prematurely due to an outsized risk of high blood pressure and placenta abnormalities in the mothers.
Why World Prematurity Day Is Important
· Premature births are increasing in the U.S.
Every year the March of Dimes issues a report card that assesses the efforts to reduce premature births in the U.S. Unfortunately, our country is losing ground in this battle for healthy babies. In fact, our overall grade is a "C" showing a widening gulf of differences in survival rates depending on racial background and socioeconomic conditions of the mothers. The best grades go to states in the west and northwest and failing grades go to states in the southwest and southeast.
· There's more than one kind of premature birth
When we speak in general terms about premature babies, we tend to dismiss the variety of premature births that occur. A late preterm baby is born sometime between 34 and 37 weeks of a pregnancy. An actual preemie is a still developing infant born just under 32 weeks of gestation. The tiniest of all babies is a micro-preemie, born at under 25 weeks into a pregnancy and weighing about a pound.
· Premature births carry high risks
According to the March of Dimes, the number one global cause of death in children under five years old is premature births. When infants are born prematurely, they can face health challenges affecting their brain, lungs, hearing, or vision. Risk factors include being African-American, a teen mother, a woman over 35, and coming from a low-income background. World Prematurity Day raises our consciousness about these infants so that we provide better research for healthier pregnancies and babies.
Closing Statement:
Several health risks are associated with prematurity that can take a while to be taken care of and under control. A premature baby needs extra special care and it's not only the babies that need special care, but often the mother needs it as well. When a mother gives birth to a premature baby, a lot of physical and emotional stress comes with it. In most cases, preemies need to live at the hospital for the first month or longer because of the premature birth. I was kept in the neonatal unit for 3-months, until my due date, and I reached 4 lbs. Mothers often lose sleep due to late nights at the hospital, suffer from feelings of guilt, anxiety, and depression, and feel like failures. It is important to take physical and mental health of the mother into consideration, just as much as it is for the baby. I know for my mother, the guilt of me being born prematurely is still ongoing as well as the challenges I still have and will always have for the rest of my life.
Source of Information: Various Google Searches and Personal Experiences and Comments.
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!