Today, November 17, 2017 is World Prematurity Day. How to Show Your Support for World Prematurity Day 2017?
There are several ways to show support:
1) Reach Out
2) Help Out
3) Shout Out
Over the years, we’ve posted several prematurity stories shared from other moms, as well as myself, in hopes of connecting with others and raising an awareness.
Some of our prematurity stories posted on WiseMommies:
Born too Soon; Life on a NICU for a Preterm Baby and his Mom
How I became a Mom to my Baby in an Incubator
Meeting Your Premature Baby for the First Time
Jayden’s Journey
Leaving a hospital without your newborn baby
Placed in different rooms in the NICU
World Prematurity Day 2017
Preemies are the smallest people, and they matter. They matter a whole lot! As Dr. Seuss said, “A person’s a person no matter how small.”
Something I heard, and really needed to hear at that time, while in the NICU, “Mothers of preemie babies often blame themselves for the trauma of prematurity and carry guilt for their baby’s suffering. When you’re feeling this way, please remember two things – you are not to blame for prematurity, and your child loves you deeply.”
According to the March of Dimes, “Each year in the United States, 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely. Being born too soon can lead to a lifetime of disabilities. This is a heartbreaking reality for too many families. That’s why we are hard at work funding groundbreaking research, education, advocacy and community programs to help give every baby the chance to survive and thrive. Please join us this month to raise awareness of premature birth by getting involved in some exciting activities planned for World Prematurity Day, November 17.”
Feature Pic: Photo credit: jdsmith1021 via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA