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You are here: Home / Blog / World Prematurity Day 2017: Why I’m Grateful

World Prematurity Day 2017: Why I’m Grateful

November 17, 2017 By Shann 10 Comments

World Prematurity Day 2017

Today is a very special day. It is a day we honor all those babies born way too soon and very sick. The littlest fighters. Our heroes. Miracle babies. Today is World Prematurity Day 2017.

World Prematurity Day 2017

 

A Few Facts

  • 1 in 10 babies are born premature each year. These babies are born anytime before a full-term birth of 38 weeks.
  • World Prematurity Day Started in 2011
  • Purple is the color associated with preterm birth

I honestly never thought I would be the mother to 1 in 10…well, actually 2.

If you’ve read my blog before, you’ll know that my twins were born at 25 weeks, 5 days due to TTTS (Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome) and SIUGR (Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction,) both conditions of the placenta.

I had no idea what it meant to have a preemie or what to expect. To say that being a preemie mom has changed my life is an understatement. While I would never wish it on anyone or any baby, there are many things it has taught me. It has changed my outlook and perspective, and it has made me extremely grateful for so many things.

Today, on World Prematurity Day 2017, I’d like to share those things with you.

Why I am Grateful I’m a Preemie Mom

The Little Things

  • Every ounce gained
  • Every wet diaper
  • Each wire and tube that was removed
  • That warm, dark box that kept my babies safe and comfortable
  • Being able to touch them, change their diapers, take their temperature
  • Kangaroo care. Skin-to-skin was the best feeling in the World.
  • An open air crib. Being able to just pick up my baby after months was just amazing.
  • Actual clothes, instead of just a diaper. The first time you looked like a newborn to me.
  • Being able to finally feed with my body, even if it took nipple shields and lots of patience
  • Discharge day
  • Discharge day number 2

World Prematurity Day 2017

The Big Things

  • I gave birth to 2 of my heroes. I’ve never seen anyone so small be so strong. The beat every odd and proved doctors wrong.
  • I learned that strangers can become the best support and friends. Members from Facebook support groups, fellow NICU parents, and friends of friends can all be connected from such an emotional experience.
  • NICU nurses and doctors are amazing people, and I’m so glad I got to witness all they do. It really restored my faith that there are good people out in the World. Not only did they take care of my twins’ medical needs, but they held them, they talked to them, and they loved them when I couldn’t be there.
  • My body is amazing. Even though it couldn’t keep them safe full-term, it kept them alive until the doctors could help. It also provided food for my babies as I pumped an entire year.
  • My limits were tested every day, and every day I kept going. Sometimes, I didn’t even want to get out of bed in the morning, but I did it for my boys. They pushed me out of my comfort zone, and showed me that I am stronger than I feel.
  • Hope is all around. I didn’t really notice it until I became a preemie mom. The stories I read and share every Monday on this blog inspire me, and humble me.
  • Being a preemie mom has given me passion, drive, and determination to help such an important problem in the World.
  • Had it not been for my boys, I never would have started this blog. It has brought me joy, purpose, and an outlet I never knew that I needed.
  • Did I mention the people I’ve met?! Even though I’ve never met many of them in person, hearing their stories, watching them grow, and seeing them succeed brings me such happiness. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m not alone, and I hope I make them feel the same way.

Purple for Preemies

Here are just a few amazing Preemies wearing their purple and doing their part to raise awareness.

Kyliana was born at just 31 weeks, weighing 3 lbs. Please read her story HERE.

World prematurity day 2017 with Kyliana

Fellow TTTS Survivor Mom Alysia shared these sweet pictures with me. Her boys were born at 33 weeks, Alex weighing 4 lbs 3 oz and Zach weighing 4 lbs 7 oz. Here is their sister, Addison, when they were babies, and now, in a sea of purple at a Friday game in Texas.

world prematurity day 2017

Scarlett was born at 27 weeks, 1 day. She weighed 2 lbs exactly. You can read her journey HERE.

World Prematurity Day 2017

Not only are these next 2 identical twins, but they are TTTS survivors. I met their mom, Renee, through a Facebook group she started. She is a fantastic photographer, and took this picture of her sweet girls Peyton and Addison. They were born at just 28 weeks, Peyton weighing 2 lbs 7 oz and Addison weighing 1 lb 12 oz. Her NICU photos were also featured in this post.

World Prematurity Day
Photo credit: Renee Beau Bixler

Preemie Parents

I think preemie parents are chosen for a special reason. It certainly isn’t easy, and sometimes it really seems impossible. Not being able to fight yourself, and watching your baby struggle is one of the hardest experiences of my life.

prematurity changes you.

You appreciate all the little milestones just as much as the big ones.

You believe in miracles.

And you fight, so that no one else has to be that strong.

Please spread premature birth awareness today on World Prematurity Day 2017, and every day. I will keep fighting for my babies and every beautiful preemie I’ve had the privilege of getting to know these past 5 years.

To learn more about TTTS/SIUGR, please click HERE. To learn about the March of Dimes, you can click HERE. To read more about premature birth, please click HERE, HERE, and HERE or search premature birth in the sidebar.

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Filed Under: Blog, Prematurity Tagged With: 25 weeker, 27 weeker, 28 weeker, 31 weeker, 33 weeker, hospital, micro preemie, neonatologist, NICU, nurse, placenta, preemie, premature birth, preterm birth, siugr, survivors, TTTS, twin to twin transfusion syndrome, World Prematurity Day 2017

Comments

  1. Beth Kondrick says

    November 17, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Look at all those cuties in purple for such an important cause! Love it!

    Reply
  2. Emily @ Southern Belle Blogs says

    November 17, 2017 at 10:39 am

    What a wonderful post! I’m 36 weeks right now but one of my coworkers just had their baby at 29 weeks. Thankfully everything went well!

    Reply
  3. Kim Airhart says

    November 17, 2017 at 11:49 am

    Little fighters, that’s for sure!! You’re boys are so cute!

    Reply
  4. shootingstarsmag says

    November 17, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    Beautiful post – and all those photos! I shared on twitter.

    you are a very strong person, but it sounds like it changed your life for the better. And I’m so glad you started your blog.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      November 21, 2017 at 8:57 am

      Thank you so much Lauren. I really appreciate your support. <3

      Reply
  5. Mariah @ Like Honey says

    November 18, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    I’m sure having preemies really makes you appreciate every little growth milestone! My nephew was born at 31 weeks and is such a little fighter!

    Mariah
    http://www.likehoneyblog.com

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      November 21, 2017 at 8:56 am

      Yes! Exactly! Thank you Mariah!

      Reply
  6. Erica @ Coming up Roses says

    November 18, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    Look at all these cute little ones! It’s so important that we have people like you who continue to bring our attention to this cause.

    Reply
  7. Latasha| Arts and Budgets says

    November 20, 2017 at 8:38 am

    Awww, as a new mommy, I love this post! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. shelah moss says

    November 20, 2017 at 11:17 am

    How wonderful to have a day to celebrate our smallest heroes!

    Reply

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Meet Shann

Shann Hi! I'm a mom, writer, and dancer. I love sharing my parenting experiences, my healthy living tips, my money saving ideas, and our travel plans. My passion to help other women inspired this blog. I hope you'll stay a while and come back often.

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