I can tell you that your state did not earn an “A” in the Premature Births Report Card released this week and I don’t even know where you live. That’s because, sadly, no state earned an “A” this year.

According to the government’s Healthy People 2010 campaign, the goal is to reduce preterm births down to 7.6% and the overall U.S. rate in 2007 was 12.7%! That earned the U.S., on the whole, a “D” grade on the report card. Vermont was the ONLY state to earn a “B”. According to Health.com, “Seven states — Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, Idaho, Massachusetts, Utah and Wisconsin — improved their grade year over year. However, Ohio’s and Oklahoma’s grades dropped.” I’m embarrassed to say the state I live in, Ohio, earned an “F” even though our facilities are supposedly very good. However, the statistics are delayed by two years (which is why I am citing 2007 numbers) and in March 2007, Ohio created Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative, whose sole purpose is to reduce preterm births in Ohio.

Since we don’t know all the reasons why babies are born premature, most states have been targeting the things they can influence such as pregnant women who smoke and elective inductions or c-sections before 34 weeks of pregnancy.

Since last time I already went over the fact that 1,400 babies are born premature every single day, in the U.S. alone, and what you can do to reduce your risk for a premature birth, today I thought I’d share a few stories I found during the March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month Fight for Preemies Bloggers Unite Event:

Kerry –
A wonderful and touching story looking at both the negatives and positives about having a premature twins.

Phoebe –
A courageous post from a teen mom who went through a very scary and painful ordeal. Her story is still in progress, and I can’t wait to read the rest.

Melissa –
A mom who bravely shares her story of how her son was born 5 weeks early because she smoked in pregnancy and had an eating disorder. She shares how it actually saved her life.

Jael –
Shares a story of her best friend whose baby came early, struggled to breathe on his own, was jaundiced, and spent months in the NICU.

 
Please take time this month for the March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month and share knowledge you have gained with other parents. You can save a life! Thank you!

November is March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month! It is a good time to share some facts about babies born premature (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), share what pregnant women can do to prevent premature birth, and tell you how you can help raise awareness.

Babies Born Premature Facts

Every day, there are over 11,000 babies born in the U.S. alone and out of those, 1,400 babies will be born premature (or over 540,000 babies born premature per year). Unfortunately, the rate of babies born premature is actually increasing rather than decreasing and it’s alarming. Premature births increased 36% comparing early 1980’s and 2006, according to The March of Dimes. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, chance of survival has increased, but sadly, after weeks and sometimes months in the NICU, some babies will grow up to have lasting disabilities.

Preventing Babies Being Born Premature

Most babies born premature will be due to unknown reasons (roughly 40%). Studies have shown four primary paths that may cause premature birth including infections, mom or baby under stress, bleeding (such as placental abruption), and over-stretching of the uterus (such as when there are multiple babies or excess amniotic fluid).

No pregnant woman is completely risk-free when it comes to premature birth. Any woman can have a baby who is premature, unfortunately. There are things that you can do to limit your risk such as not smoking, drinking, doing drugs, high stress, and getting prenatal care. You can also be more at risk if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, are obese, or underweight before pregnancy.

Although there is nothing definitive that can be done to prevent premature birth, in 2003, they did find giving women who previously had a baby born premature progesterone during pregnancy decreased another premature birth. There have also been studies that show giving the pregnant woman antibiotics if she previously had her water break before 37 weeks can reduce the chance of another premature birth. Lastly, there are also studies that show a woman’s cervix can be stitched who have a short cervix. This procedure is called cerclage.

How Baby Insights Can Help

When babies are born premature, there is so much to worry about. Parents of all newborns need to make sure their baby eats enough and have enough wet and dirty diapers, but when your baby is premature, extra care needs to be taken as there is higher potential for complications. By using Baby Insights to track your baby’s schedule, you can ensure she has enough wet and dirty diapers, eats and sleeps enough, and takes any medication on time, too, just like Kerry did when she found out her baby had a heart condition when she was just one week old. With Baby Insights she was able to track her baby’s medication doses very closely. Having information stored all in one place helps you worry less and enjoy your baby more!

Raise Awareness About Babies Born Premature

You can help raise awareness about babies born premature by sharing this article, considering a donation to the March of Dimes, or volunteer today!

Learn more about March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness month and what you can do by visiting The March of Dimes Website today!