World Prematurity Day 2012

This is something very close to my heart; both of my children were born prematurely. My eldest was born at 30 weeks after PPROM (Premature Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes) at just 28 weeks in to my pregnancy. My second little boy was born at 34 weeks due to Pre-Term Labour (Spontaneous). Both boys have some ongoing issues after their early arrivals, but are relatively healthy considering.

Please do your bit and support the premmies!

Taken from The National Premmie Foundation

Saturday 17^th November 2012 is World Prematurity Day and the National Premmie Foundation is once again participating in the international campaign to raise awareness of preterm birth. Each year Worldwide 13 million babies are born too soon. Approximately 23,000 of these babies are born in Australia.  We want everyone to honour the 15 million babies who struggled to survive this year and over 1 million babies who sadly lost their fight for life.

The rate of preterm birth is increasing and yet the general public knows little about the prevention of preterm birth and the problems and risks involved in the development of a preterm infant.  Preterm or premature birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation is the second leading cause of newborn death globally. Babies who survive an early birth often face the increased risk of health challenges such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and many other hurdles. For many families, preterm birth brings with it neonatal or infant loss. So we want you to join the campaign to raise awareness of the issues these vulnerable newborns and their families face.

The National Premmie Foundation is a founding member of the World Prematurity Network.  This means we have joined together with March of Dimes (USA), The European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (Europe), LittleBigSoul (Africa), Bliss (UK) and Home for Premature Infants (China) to raise awareness and change the lives of babies born too soon everywhere. 

How you can get involved

We are asking people throughout Australia to get behind World Prematurity Day.

In 2011, the Empire State Building was lit up purple and it will do so again in 2012 with other buildings from around the world.  This year in Australia, the Questacon building in Canberra, is lighting up purple.  You can be a part of our “light it up purple” campaign in Australia by purchasing a National Premmie Foundation candle and lighting it at 7pm in your own home.

 For more information, please visit the National Premmie Foundation