In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month 2013, we share our experiences of premature birth to raise awareness of this issue and to help other families in similar situations.
Not all multiples are born prematurely, but the issue of premature birth is a cause near and dear to the hearts of most mothers of multiples. Even those MoMs who carried their multiples to term are aware that they’re in the minority. Being born full-term is also no guarantee of good health after birth. Most multiples are born prematurely, before their bodies are fully prepared for life outside the womb.
The March of Dimes leads the campaign against premature birth, working to fund research and support legislation that improves healthcare for mothers and babies. They seek to focus attention on the issue of premature birth.
Most babies born prematurely spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and you will see that is a major part of many of our stories. We cover a wide range of topics and perspectives, including:
How to navigate the NICU environment- The many emotions of prematurity and special needs
- Dealing with the practicalities of special needs children
- Honoring our experiences through reunions, volunteering, and fundraising
- What expectant mothers should be aware of to try to prevent premature delivery
- How our premature and special needs children have been doing
All week, we share our birth stories as well. In each one, you’ll find unique circumstances and recurring themes, something that most mothers can relate to.
Overview Posts
Navigating the NICU
From the Archives: Prematurity and the NICU- Ten Things to Remember When Your Babies Are in the NICU (Michelle)
- NICU Terminology
- Kangaroo Care: Ask For It (Michelle)
- Things People Did When We Were in the NICU (Sadia)
- SMSs From the NICU
- Learning How to Trust Your Instincts as a Parent of Preemie Twins (Helene)
Personal Stories
Full Term Birth
- The Road to Motherhood: A Twin Birth Story (Mytwintopia)
- A&D’s Birth Story: 35 weeks 2 days (Marissa)
- Surrendering to the Experience (Katie)
- Seeking Supplemental Prenatal Care (RachelG)
Premature Birth and Life in the NICU
Prematurity Awareness Blog Hop- From the Archives: Twin Birth Stories
- Not How I’d Planned Things to Go: A & B’s Birth Story (MandyE)
- J and M’s Birth Story: Emergency C-Section at 33 Weeks (Sadia)
- J and M’s NICU Story: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back (Sadia)
- Surrendering to the Experience (Katie)
- A&D’s Birth Story: 35 weeks 2 days (Marissa)
- Special Needs in the NICU (Marissa)
- The Stories of My Babies Born at 31 Weeks and 27.5 Weeks (Carolyn – Twintrospectives)
- Premature in Hong Kong: My Twins Born at 31 Weeks (Natasha Devalia)
- Micropreemie Twins: Ashley’s Birth Story
- Triplets?! Angela’s Story of Love and Loss (Angela)
- Thank You, March of Dimes… Ella and Zoë’s Story (Jeremi)
Life with Special Needs Children
Special Needs in the NICU (Marissa)- All This and Babies, Too?: Leaving with Medical Equipment (Marissa)
- Special Needs: Adopting the Drug Exposed Newborn (Jeanene)
- How I Learned that My Child Had Frontonasal Dysplasia (Sadia)
Parental Emotions Toward Pregnancy and Preterm Birth
NICU Names: Guilt, Anger, Sorrow (Marissa)- NICU-Related Post-Traumatic Stress is a Real Thing (WildflowerMom)
- Learning How to Trust Your Instincts as a Parent of Preemie Twins (Helene)
- Multiple Feelings When Your Multiples Are in the NICU (Michelle)
- Surrendering to the Experience (Katie)
Nutrition and Feeding
Foodie Friday: The Continuation of the NICU Journal (MandyE)- Foodie Friday: Suck-Swallow-Breathe (Marissa)
Giving Back to the Preemie and Medical Communities
Help the Preemie Community – Shop the Celebrate Carter Fundraiser (Angela)- The Goal of Reaching the NICU Reunion (MandyE)
- Giving Back: NICU Gratitude (Gritty49)
- Paying It Forward: Volunteering in the NICU (MandyE)
Things to Know
Let’s Talk About SIDS, Baby (Sadia)- The Signs of Premature Labor (Carolyn – Twintrospectives)
- Prenatal Care for Twins (Dorydoyle)
- Seeking Supplemental Prenatal Care (RachelG)
Thanks for reading and helping make Prematurity Awareness Week 2013 a success!
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
I had no idea that there was a week dedicated to awareness regarding pre-maturity. I remember when with my oldest daughter we had a scare and thought she was trying to make an early appearance. I was immediately place on a High Risk status and limited activity. I am so grateful that she made it to full term but I know the fear I experienced thinking she may not. Thank you for sharing such an important cause.
Thanks for stopping by! It’s amazing how many people and groups have stepped forward to raise awareness. Major landmarks across the globe were purple yesterday to remember all the preemies of the world and call for further research and constantly improving preventive care!
thank you for sharing your story. i am going to read the rest of the stories too.
Thank you for joining in with the #pinitparty
I had no idea there was a Prematurity Awareness Week either; thank you so much for sharing this on the Modest Monday link-up!
My son was born 5 weeks early this spring and the experience of having a premature baby was such a shock! My husband and I were blessed that our baby was healthy and able to be sent home after a normal stay in the hospital, but we were so nervous having such a tiny baby to care for. He only weighed in at 4 lbs. 14.5 oz. at birth. I struggled with guilt for quite a while after having him because I thought it was my fault he was born early. Eight months later, God has definitely healed the guilt in my heart and we’ve got a wild 8-month-old boy terrorizing our house