November 16, 2008
-
November is Prematurity Awareness Month.
Dedicated to the
more than half a million babies
who are born too soon,
fighting for their lives,
and to their families,
who pray for their survival.
I am the parent of a preemie. He is now 6 years old.
It seems so long since the worry, the stress. The Days of him in the NICU hooked up to a vent. The days before I was able to hold him. The worry, the wait. Waiting to see how he would do. Waiting for him to be able to come home.
So this month, I’m supporting the families who sit in the NICU and hold hands with baited breath. Families who’s baby stays far from home for far too long. Or worse…never gets to come home at all.
Between 1981 and 2003, the rate of premature births rose from 9.4 percent to 12.3, an increase of almost 31 percent. Every year nearly 500,000 infants are born prematurely. That’s roughly comparable to the population of Cleveland.
Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns. Those premature babies who do survive are often disabled for life.
And his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant near to giving birth, and got to hear the report that the ark of the true God was captured and that her father-in law and her husband had died. At that she bowed herself and began giving birth, because her pangs came unexpectedly upon her.
1 Samuel 4:19
Premature birth has been recognized as a problem since Biblical times.
Remember premature babies and their families in your prayers.
Premature birth is the number one killer of newborns and babies who survive may be disabled for life. Even the best of care cannot always spare a premature baby from lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, developmental delays, chronic lung disease or vision and hearing problems.
The March of Dimes is leading a national effort to save babies from premature birth by funding research to find the causes and by supporting local programs that offer hope and help to families with a baby in intensive care. As part of that effort, the March of Dimes wants women to know there are steps they can take to reduce their risk of premature birth. You can learn more by going to the web site, marchofdimes.com, and clicking on “I want my 9 months.”
Comments (14)
I had NO idea the number of premature births was SO high!
I’m the sister of a preemie! He’s now 24.
Awww ~ I will do….thanks for sharing.
@Hecalmsthestorm - @Papillon_Mom - Wow ~ are they serving coffee here????? We all came in together…..wow
Keep in mind that there are more premature births now because women who previously would have lost their baby in the first trimester can be given drugs and bed-rest to prolong the pregnancy in hopes of buying enough time to be able to save the child…
@Neeka1 - Apparently they ran out. I didn’t get any.
I had a placental abruption with my second child, and after two weeks in the hospital and three attempts to stop labor, they finally let me give birth when I went into labor the fourth time. He was in NICU for twelve days and he was not diabled (for which I am truly and profoundly grateful) but he does have autism.
And I’d go through it all again to keep him. I love my little man so very, very much.
@radicalramblings - thank you, l was wondering why the premature birth rate rose so much.
I was a preemie many years ago. Thank you for this reminder. Blessings!
@DorkyandToto - Please don’t misunderstand me – I do definitely think we should do all we can to now learn how to keep premature births from happening as much as possible. There are ways that this can be done. Definitely click the link up there & learn about it
@radicalramblings - I agree, I was just wondering why the premature birth rate was up. I am very thankful for the advances that are being made. Blessings!
I was premature! Born at 6 months. My parents were told that I wouldn’t make it, especially back in 1983. Well, I’m still hereeeee!
I had 3 preemies. They were all born 5 weeks early. Our NICU is amazing and I am so thankful. I support March of Dimes by doing the walks and give to the Children’s Miracle Network that supports the hospital our NICU was in.
I am the mother of a premature daughter, who was promoted to Heaven just 18 hours and 42 minutes after she was born Feb. 7, 1984. She came into the world at 29 weeks, but had contracted a Group B strep infection from me.
It is heartbreaking to lose one.
We’ll pray for them.. Belated Happy Birthday to your son. God bless!