News Moms Need

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day, and I really wish I had some happy news to report. We just released the second annual Premature Birth Report Card and America scored a depressing “D.” What that means is that every year, we’re failing more than half a million babies.

Each state received its own report card, by the way, and you can find your state’s grade here. No state earned an “A,” and Vermont was the only state that received a “B.” Even though seven states improved their grade, I’m sure you’ll agree we have a long way to go.

You can help in a big way today by blogging about premature birth. And updating your Facebook and Twitter status.  

You never know how many red cars are on the road until you’re driving one yourself.  My darling husband’s colleague told him that the day after our son was born six years ago and the truth of those words have stuck with us ever since.

Birth is supposed to be kisses and hugs.  Family celebrating together.  Harmony.  But for my family it was complete chaos.  Anguish.  Doom.  Tubes and wires, bells and needles – a baby born much too soon struggling to survive in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  When I was only 23-weeks pregnant, I went into pre-term labor and was forced to deliver our Joshua.  He weighed one pound and eleven ounces and was very sick.  Doctors weren’t sure if he would make it.

My life had always been according to plan.  One minute I was having a healthy pregnancy, the next minute I was in pre-term labor.  All of a sudden I was in uncharted territory, completely out of my element, and never more terrified in my life.  I couldn’t grasp how the perfectionist in me failed to produce a perfect baby and a perfect family.  In an instant my life was turned upside down.  I woke up on a roller coaster and it was anything but a thrill ride.  My emotions went from terror – seeing my son for the first time in an isolette, a tiny protoplasmic being through a maze of tubes and tape; to remorse – how could I let this happen?  To sorrow – what does the future hold for my son?  As soon as I finally let go of the shock and denial and accepted Joshua’s situation my maternal instinct kicked in and my deep-rooted family values emerged.  I began a mission – together with my husband – we felt like we had to battle the impossible but we went into full on battle mode and fought harder than we ever fought before.  We wanted our son to have every chance in life.

These days our society is so busy.  Life is oftentimes so trivial.  Many people are just trying to make it through the day.  Our story could happen to any family.  In fact it does.  And that’s when we realized how many other red cars are on the road.

My experience the past six years has been a fascinating study of women and their steadfast role in their family.  Preemie moms are some of the strongest women I know in our society today.  To have to endure something as frightening as your baby faltering on the brink of survival and to watch all the pain he has to suffer to stay alive is a true test.  But my Joshua taught me so much and wow did he enrich not just my life but so many others, too.  And he continues to do so every single day.  I learned how to cope.  I learned how strength oftentimes comes from the unexpected and how in times of great fear you must do the thing you cannot do.  I learned how everything is a state of mind and I can get there by believing that nothing is impossible. 

Follow us as we travel around the country fighting for preemies at Josh Fights for Preemies blog.

By: Melanie Hoffman, 2010 Ambassador Mom

It was this weekend’s hot ticket event and what the internet has been buzzing about.  Hollywood stars turned the red carpet to March of Dimes purple.

Moms, Halle Berry, Nicole Richie, Julie Bowen and other celebrities showed up in LA at the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies, November 7, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Show your support and join the fight for preemies. Create a virtual purple wristband for a baby you love and help give other babies a fighting chance.

Photos by Alex J. Berliner©Berliner Studio/BEImages 

It’s Prematurity Awareness Month, when everyone’s focused on premature birth and the families touched by it.

In our country alone, more than half a million babies are born too soon each year, some very sick. Maybe you had a premature baby yourself. Or you may know someone who did.

This November, do something special for a baby you love. Click over to marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies and create a virtual band in honor or memory of a baby in your life. Your gift funds research and programs that give premature babies a fighting chance.

If you have a blog, help us spread the word. Unite with thousands of bloggers around the world and post about premature birth  on November 17.

And if you are Twitter, use #fight4preemies.  Let’s try to get a trending topic going on November 17th.