November is Prematurity Awareness month and today is Prematurity Awareness Day. Considering my own babies were preemies and I have friends who had preemies, I find this day and month very interesting (and important!).
Did you know that 1 out of 8 babies is born prematurely (born before 37 weeks)? 1 out of 8! I had no idea the number was so high. Today March of Dimes released a prematurity report card for the nation and individual states. The “grade” is based on how many of the births in each state and the nation as a whole are premature. The nation received a D. Kansas (where the boys were born) also received a D.
Sure, there has been an increase in preemie births along with the increase in multiple births but multiple births certainly aren’t the only reason for a premature delivery. Sometimes there are circumstances that mom and doctors just can’t do much about and that’s where the research of March of Dimes comes in. Other times though the mother’s lifestyle and habits could lead to a premature birth and that’s where the education of March of Dimes comes in.