World Prematurity Awareness Day 2015

We talk about World Prematurity Awareness Day because prematurity can happen to any baby. All causes for preterm birth are not even known, but there are ways you can be prepared and reduce your risk of going into preterm labor.

The idea of having micro preemie babies never even crossed my radar. In my situation, we were just lucky it didn’t happen sooner. My doctor told me that if the twins had been my first pregnancy, my uterus probably could not have handled all of the extra fluid and stretching, and I would have likely gone into labor weeks earlier. So I was lucky that we made it to 30 weeks. Many TTTS babies come between 23 and 28 weeks, if not earlier.

The idea of having micro #preemies never even crossed my radar. #WorldPrematurityDay via @katbiggie

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Since my girls were born and I experienced what 84 days like is in the NICU, I have become a huge advocate for the March of Dimes, the lead organization for reduction and prevention of preterm birth, birth defects, and infant death.

Today, November 17th, is World Prematurity Awareness Day.

I’m posting a great article the March of Dimes shared: Are You at Risk for Preterm Birth?

I sure never dreamed I was.

I wrote more about our story in 2012.

Are you at risk for premature birth?

The March of Dimes says these three risk factors make you most likely to have preterm labor and give birth early:

1. Prior premature birth: You’ve had a premature baby in the past.
2. Multiples: You’re pregnant with twins, triplets or more.
3. Cervical or uterine problems: Problems with the structure or function of your cervix or uterus.

Have you had a premature baby in the past? Are you pregnant with twins or other multiples? Do you have problems with your cervix or uterus? If so, you are more likely to give birth early.

Other risk factors include:

Family history
Weight
Maternal health conditions
Smoking
Stress
Maternal Age
Rage/ethnicity

There are a few other factors too.

I highly encourage you to head over to the March of Dimes article Are you at Risk for Premature birth? and read the entire article.

Did you have a preemie? Tell us about your special baby!

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katbiggie

Freelance writer at Kat Biggie Press

Alexa B, who blogs as "Kat Biggie" is a wife, mother, and writer. She has three children and one in heaven. She recently self published a book entitled "Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother" which is available on Amazon. She blogs about life after the loss of one of her twin daughters to TTTS, motherhood, all things parenting, advocacy, grief support and social good.