Tuesday, November 1, 2011

November is Prematurity Awareness Month


This time last year I was 100% oblivious to the following facts:

  • Worldwide, a million babies go to heaven each year because they are born too soon.
  • 12 million more premature babies will fight through a rigorous journey of survival.
  • Hard to believe and sadly, the United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates of any developed country.
  • The United States received an overall grade of "C" for premature births, with Arkansas receiving a D.
  • Our country's premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years.
  • Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion a year and take a high toll on families. Babies born just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities.
I was also oblivious of the wonderful work of the following:
  • March of Dimes: "Working Together for Stronger, Healthier Babies" (our school organization, DECA, had always collected change for March for Babies, but I still didn't pay much attention to the seriousness of it). They work towards education on pregnancy, babies, prematurity and complications/health concerns of infants.
  • Willow Creek Labor & Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In December of last year, Andrew and I, as well as our friends and family were brought to light of all of this information. It was not the most ideal situation, but our sweet boy is healthy, happy and super fantastic. We have learned a lot from our experience and have new people in our lives now that I hold very closely in my heart and consider dear friends (including two very sweet, curly-headed littles who helped me stay well entertained in Room 20). The care we received both upstairs and downstairs was absolutely amazing!! We will forever be grateful and advocate for Parkhill (you just can't ask for better doctors!!, Em, get ready for weekly appointments some day... but not anytime soon), the Willow Creek staff, the L&D ladies (I miss visiting with them and watching them giggle when my friends and I asked them 5 million questions), and Dr. Wagle & Dr. Linn and their stellar team of NPs and NICU nurses (your knowledge and attention to detail is like nothing I have ever seen). Thank you all for helping us get our baby to the chunky, belly-laughing 20+ pounds he is now!!

Our friends and family, I still think daily about all that you did for us; I am still in awe. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Brooke, Andrew's back particularly thanks you for the mattress pad!

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.

The March of Dimes is working to wipe out the unknown and make it preventable. Please join them in this journey to help all babies be born full term and healthy. Know the signs, get educated and spread the word about preemies! For more information on getting involved and information on Nov. 17th (the first-ever World Prematurity Day) www.marchofdimes.com

Our sweet boy the day after he was born





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