World Prematurity Day 2016
November 17 is World Prematurity Day 2016. It is a day to celebrate our smallest fighters, and spread awareness about what it means to experience a premature birth.
Did you know that Prematurity is the #1 cause of death in children under the age of 5, according to the March of Dimes? That is a very scary statistic, and unfortunately, things are not getting better. Right now, in 2016, the nation’s preterm birth rate worsened for the first time in eight years, also according to the March of Dimes.
As you know, I am very passionate about this cause, having experienced my own premature birth, and giving birth to two of my heroes, my twins. They were born at 25 weeks, 5 days due to complications from TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome) and SIUGR (Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction.) Weighing only 1 lb 7 oz and 2 lbs 2 oz, they fought for 91 and 93 days in the NICU.
Now, at 4-years-old, they both weigh close to 40 lbs, and are doing great in their first year of preschool. They are even (mostly) potty trained!
They are truly my miracles, and I love to share their story any chance I get. I want to give hope to others who may experience a premature birth.
Micro Preemie Mondays
While any birth before 38 weeks gestation is considered premature, I often focus on our smallest and sickest fighters, the micro preemies. A micro preemie is a baby that is born before 28 weeks gestation and/or under 2 lbs at birth.
Micro preemies often have the roughest journeys because they are born so early. 40 weeks is a full-term birth, so these babies are born at least 3 months early. A birth this early is often accompanied by a long hospital stay, and many complications. Not only does it take a physical fight from the baby, but it takes an emotional toll on the entire family. Each journey is unique.
I am lucky and honored to bring you those unique stories of premature birth each Monday for Micro Preemie Mondays. I started this series in June of 2015, and since then have met so many strong, amazing babies and parents. Actually, I’ve brought you 45 different journeys!
There have been girls, boys, twins, and quadruplets. There have been babies in all stages of their premature birth journey, from babies that are still fighting in the NICU to adults that were once premature babies themselves. I’ve been touched by each story, and so proud to share them all with you.
Updates
I also love to bring you updates, and I have a special one for you today on World Prematurity Day 2016.
In June 2016, we met Sahara. She was born at just 22 weeks, 5 days, and was on day 164 of her NICU journey at the time of the post.
I’m so happy to report that she is home today!!!
After 307 days in the NICU, she is home! She is almost 11 months old, and weighs 17 lbs and 9 oz.
According to her mom, Dee:
She did have to get a trach and g-tube. Hopefully, we will be capping it by spring. She is on cpap. The setting is very low, 1 liter of oxygen. She loves clapping her hands, laughing and smiling.
How You Can Help
There are so many different things that can cause a premature birth, from health problems in the mother to health problems with the babies. There are also many unknown reasons for a premature birth. That is why we all need to spread awareness, increase education, and push for more research to be done. Premature birth is not a problem that is going away, but we can do our best to change that.
How can you help?
- Wear Purple
Purple is the color designated for Premature Birth, so wear something purple today for World Prematurity Day 2016.
- Talk about it
Tell people why you are wearing purple, and how important it is to spread awareness about Premature Birth.
- Donate
Donate your time or money to organizations that raise money, do research, or help premature babies. The March of Dimes, Project Sweet Peas, and Hand to Hold are all great organizations. You can also volunteer or donate items to your local NICU.
- Share
While you may not know anyone personally, just by sharing posts like this or any Micro Preemie Monday story, you may reach someone in your social network that needs some hope or information. You can also use the hashtag #WorldPrematurityDay in any social media posts to increase awareness.
Thank you so much to everyone who visits the blog each and every Monday. I will continue to bring you new stories as long as I have people who are willing to share them.
Please help me send a powerful message today on World Prematurity Day 2016 by sharing this post. Will you help me spread awareness?
What beautiful stories. May have gotten me a bit teary eyed ??
I have some family members that were born premies, its all such a miracle. I loved your post, especially the how to help section, that was especially helpful for me.
Goodness! I love seeing them thriving after being born so early. My nephew was born at 30 weeks, and he is a big, healthy 9 year old now!
My youngest was born just a few days shy of 37 weeks. I was on the March of Dimes website earlier and was so sad to read the rate of premature births went up. I’m loving reading all these stories today though. Thank you so much for sharing. And Thank you for raising awareness 🙂
So interested to read this blog today.
My twins were born at 28 weeks exactly, 20th November 2004 when I went into labour. I had been on bed rest for 3 weeks since my 25 week scan showed that one twin was smaller than the other.
They were delivered by C-section and we heard the cries of only the second one. We were warned that the first, Amélie, was very poorly and sadly she died of listeriosis after 6 hours.
I was quite ill and stayed in hospital for the 13 nights I was allowed by health insurance. Every morning I would ring NICU to find out if my other daughter, Elín, was still alive. Terrifying.
The worst day was when I left hospital with my husband and no babies. Elín had to stay in until she reached 2kg/4.4lb and was no longer reliant on the C-Pap. She had her first bottle of milk, rather than a feeding tube, on Christmas Day 2004.
She will be 12 on Sunday & is doing GREAT! There were issues with fine motor skills when she was younger & they are still there. The biggest problem for her now is her worrying; she worries so much about illness, for herself & others. She is generally a happy girl, but adolescence is hard for her as mentally she is just not ready. Elín is a lovely kind girl, who dislikes noise & fuss. Her happy place is at home with mum & dad. We’re happy there too!
My coworker is a mom to a premie. It was mission critical we all wore purple!
Great post! I have several friends who had preemies and whose kids are such fighters! I love the list of what you can do to be involved to!
Wow what an amazing story. So happy for your family and that your boys are thriving.
I love seeing the updates. You have two handsome little boys and I’m happy they are doing good ? thanks for all you do for sharing awareness!
I did wear purple today! This was a sad post for me to read but it is so wonderful that you are spreading awareness!
I’m so happy you wore purple Jasmine!
I loved your post – thank you for sharing such a beautiful post.
<3 You know this holds dear place in my heart. So glad your boys are all good now 🙂
Thank you so much Christine 🙂 Much love to your preemie too 🙂
I love your heart and how you are always raising awareness for such an incredible cause <3 Thank you for this and for also sharing your own experience with premature birth. I actually had no idea about the micro premies, but am so relieved that we live in a world where modern advances have made it possible for these miracle births to have such happy endings. Beautiful pics, all.
XOXOXOX I've missed you — it's wonderful to be back here again 🙂
Awe. Thank you so much Charlotte! XOXOXO I’ve missed you too!!! I’ll be by your blog later 🙂
Such an incredible initiative by. God bless you for this!
I was born at 32 weeks. Though it is not a risk stage as such, this was back in India and in a hospital which had no much facilities back then (88born). My mom.said I was really tiny but in a few months put back and grew. Well, now looking at my plus size no one would ever say I was a premature birth lol
prof premraj pushpakaran writes –let us celebrate World Prematurity Day!!!