Prematurity Awareness!

November is the prematurity awareness month. This hits home for me in so many ways. Some of you readers know that my oldest, Jada, was born at 31 week and weighed 2lbs 13 oz. She had gastroschesis, this is when you are born with your intestines on the outside. She was in the hospital for 7 weeks and it was a long and tough road. To read more of her story go HERE!

"Prematurity is the leading killer of America's newborns. Those who survive often have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss. Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly over the past two decades. In 2005, more than 525,000 infants were born prematurely, the highest number ever reported for the U.S. In 2005, the United States as a society paid at least $26.2 billion in economic costs associated with preterm birth (medical and educational expenses, loss in productivity). Preterm delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. In about four out of every 10 cases, the causes are unknown."

The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped. For more information and ways you can help go to March of Dimes Website.