Today bloggers around the web are united for March of Dimes blogger event Fight for Preemies. November is Prematurity Awareness Month and I felt it was a very relevant topic for The Thoughtful Parent. According to the March of Dimes, 1 in 8 babies in the U.S. are born prematurely. All the causes for premature birth are not yet known so more research is needed. Babies who are born premature are at risk for numerous health problems, both immediate and long-term. These can include problems with breathing, eyesight, the heart, and the brain.
This topic is close to my heart since I myself was born prematurely. I was only about 6 weeks premature, but 30-something years ago that was a little more cause for concern that it is now. Thanks to some wonderful doctors and nurses (according to my parents) I pulled through just fine and have had no long-term effects. Not all babies are this lucky, however, so organizations like March of Dimes need all the support they can get. Today, please think about families you may know that have experienced the premature birth of a child.
Check out the March of Dimes for more detailed information about prematurity and ways you can help support future research.
