Category Archives: Maternal & Child Health

World Prematurity Day is a week away! On Sunday November 17th the Empire State Building will glow purple as a symbol of hope for a healthy start for babies. Show your support by ordering the Hugs Heal tee here.

In September 2013, the United States Senate passed the PREEMIE (Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early) Reauthorization Act (S. 252). This bill, which “reauthorizes federal research, education and intervention activities related to preterm birth”, was sponsored by Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander in February of this year. With co-sponsors from ColoradoContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Policy Changes That Affect Preemies”

While the rate of preterm birth in the US has declined steadily over the last few years, there still remains a heartbreaking racial disparity in poor birth outcomes. In 2012 the preterm birth rate was 11.54% overall, but the rate for non-Hispanic blacks was 16.8%, according to the March of Dimes. Although this figure hasContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Still A Long Way To Go”

Thanks to improvements in health care, policy changes, and groundbreaking research surrounding prematurity prevention, the preterm birth rate in the United States has declined for the sixth consecutive year according to March of Dimes. In 2012 the preterm birth rate was 11.54% of all births in the US, the lowest it’s been in the lastContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Preterm Birth Rate Declines”

As we work to prevent prematurity and give babies the best start possible, it is important to know what constitutes a premature infant. Prior to this year, babies born between 37 and 42 weeks were considered full term and babies born before 37 weeks were considered premature. This meant that, though considered “late preterm”, aContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: What Is “Full-Term”?”

Did you know that nearly 50% of pregnancies in the US are unintended? Maternal and Child Health geeks such as myself like to rant about improving Preconception Health: a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. But since nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended, there’s value in preparing for a healthy pregnancy even if you’reContinue reading “Preventing Prematurity: Preparation Matters”

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time for us to come together and raise awareness about prematurity prevention in the US and abroad.  As many of you know, prematurity prevention is near and dear to my heart because I was a preemie myself!  Each November I look forward to doing my part to raise awareness,Continue reading “November is Prematurity Awareness Month”