Author Archives: C’ést Ma Joie

Click the photo to check out a recent Fox News article about the Premature Birth Report Card, including an interview with March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer Howse.

In case you missed it on Sunday the 17th, the Empire State Building was lit purple in honor of the 3rd Annual World Prematurity Day. Kudos to the March of Dimes for all their hard work in raising awareness about prematurity during the month of Prematurity Awareness Month and throughout the year!

Yesterday was the 3rd Annual World Prematurity Day & I hope it treated you well!

Founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, the March of Dimes has been at the forefront of the movement to ensure the very best outcomes for babies. They launched their Prematurity Campaign in 2003 to raise awareness about preterm birth and explore ways to reduce the number of babies born too soon. In 2012Continue reading “Preventing Prematurity: The March of Dimes”

As we talk about ways to prevent prematurity, its important to look at how a normal, healthy pregnancy progresses. With elective inductions and c-sections being scheduled between 34 and 36 weeks, there are quite a few babies being born several weeks before they’re ready for the world. So what’s happening in those last 6 weeks?Continue reading “Preventing Prematurity: The Last 6 Weeks”

As we talk about ways to prevent prematurity, its important to look at how a normal, healthy pregnancy progresses. A lot of what happens early in the pregnancy determines morbidity and mortality risk for mom & baby–a scary thought considering most women don’t know they’re pregnant until they are six to eight weeks along! SoContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: The First 8 Weeks”

While celebrities like Halle Berry and Kelly Preston have healthy babies well into their 40s, its no secret that pregnancy after 35 can be tricky business. Over-35 mommies are at increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, birth defects and delivering prematurely. Since we’re born with all the eggs we’re ever gonna get, infertility isContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Motherhood After 35”

While I focus a great deal on domestic issues in Maternal & Child Health, its impossible to raise awareness about prematurity prevention without thinking globally. Worldwide approximately 15 million babies are born premature each year, and more than 1 million die as a result. The sad part is that 75% of these deaths could beContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: The Global Toll”

Of all the causes of prematurity, the easiest to address is the prevalence of elective inductions and c-sections. The number of inductions in the US has more than doubled in the last twenty years! Babies born by way of induction and/or scheduled c-section are between 34 and 36 weeks, placing them at greater risk for infection,Continue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Inductions & C-Sections”