Palmetto Parent 2009 November Issue : Page 22
November is designated as Prematurity Awareness Month by the March of Dimes. Finding focus PHOTOS COURTESY MARCH OF DIMES TheMarch ofDimes fi ghts to raise awareness of premature babies Nearly 15 percent of all births in S.C. are impacted Story by Chris Worthy W ith approximately 15 percent of all births in South Carolina coming too soon, the March of Dimes is fi ghting to raise awareness, fund research and improve the state’s failing grade on the organization’s prematurity report card. Th e organization’s eff orts come into focus throughout the month of Novem- ber, designated as Prematurity Awareness Month. “Th e March of Dimes started the prema- 22 Palmetto Parent www.palmettoparent.com November 2009 “It’s a struggle for these babies,” says March of Dimes spokesperson Jacki Apel. “They go through a lot.”
Finding focus
Chris Worthy
March of Dimes fights to raise awareness of premature babies
Nearly 15 percent of all births in South Carolina are impacted
With approximately 15 percent of all births in South Carolina coming too soon, the March of Dimes is fighting to raise awareness, fund research and improve the state’s failing grade on the organization’s prematurity report card.
The organization’s efforts come into focus throughout the month of November, designated as Prematurity Awareness Month.
“The March of Dimes started the prematurity campaign in 2003,” said March of Dimes spokesperson Jacki Apel. “The rates of premature birth continue to rise. In half of those cases we don’t know why. That’s the most unsettling thing. Our campaign funds research to determine the cause of premature birth and educate moms about the signs and symptoms of early labor.”
With great leaps in neonatal medicine, babies can now survive as early as 23 or 25 weeks gestation, but premature birth can result in a host of problems. Many can impact the child for life, including problems with sight or hearing, breathing difficulties and cognitive delays, according to Apel. And being born too soon can also mean weeks or months in neonatal intensive care.
“It’s a struggle for these babies,” Apel said. “They go through a lot.”
The March of Dimes will release its 2009 report card — which grades the United States as a whole as well as each state individually — Nov. 17.
“This year our call to action is asking people to visit the Fight for Preemies Web site,” Apel said.
The site provides educational information, a chance to support the March of Dimes’ campaign through social networking sites and blog banners and ways to give in support of research. Personalized arm bands can be ordered to celebrate, honor or remember a baby.
Perhaps most importantly, Apel wants to remind families that the fight against premature birth still has far to go.
“There have been so many great advances and joyful, successful stories of babies born prematurely that there is a little bit of a belief that it isn’t a big deal,” she said.
For the more than 500,000 babies born too soon each year, it is the biggest deal of all, she said.
How you can find out more
For more information on Prematurity Awareness Month, visit the Fight for Preemies Web site at www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity. If you are pregnant, know the warning signs of preterm labor. The March of Dimes recommends pregnant women take note of:
* contractions — your abdomen tightens like a fist — every 10 minutes or more often;
* any change in vaginal discharge such as leaking fluid or bleeding from your vagina;
* pelvic pressure — the feeling that your baby is pushing down;
* a low, dull backache;
* cramps that feel like your period; and
* Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea.
Enjoy great tastes and help a great cause
The March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction is 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Embassy Suites in Columbia. The event begins with a silent auction and tasting, followed by a live auction. For auction and ticket information, call Betsy Britt at 252-5200, e-mail ebritt@marchofdimes.com or visit www.marchofdimes.com/southcarolina.
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