Category Archives: March of Dimes

US Gets a D in Prematurity

The preliminary data from 2008 says that the US rate of preterm births is 12.3%, down slightly from 12.8% in 2007.  The report card is based on the following indicators: Preterm Birth Late Preterm Birth Uninsured Women Pregnant Women Smoking … Continue reading

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National Prematurity Awareness Month

Many hospitals are enacting policies to prevent preterm deliveries by banning elective birth before 39 weeks.  Some have policies, some have enforcement or recommendations and others just do education.  Guess which works the best?  What’s being done in your area? … Continue reading

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Healthy Eating During Your Pregnancy

I can certainly say, when I got pregnant with my oldest, I thought pregnancy was a free ticket to pig out and live on junk food, but I quickly learned through my reading, that is not the case at all!! … Continue reading

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CDC Releases New Report Comparing U.S. and European Infant Mortality Rates

The CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released a new report this morning which compares infant mortality rates in the U.S. and Europe. Authors of Behind International Rankings of Infant Mortality: How the United States Compares with Europe explored … Continue reading

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March of Dimes Gives US a ‘D’ for Prematurity

This week the March of Dimes gave the US a report card on prematurity. As some would have suspected, we are not doing well. Overall the US got a ‘D’ but my state was given an ‘F’, as were the states around me. Below you will find a post where Dr. Laura Riley talks about some things to be done to decrease the number of premature births in the US. In fact, she talks about prematurity from inductions and cesareans that are on the rise. My question would be how much is caused by what the physician wants and how much is the patient’s impatience? With so much focus on one day, could we lower the prematurity rate by simply giving the 38-42 week span as the possible due date?

You can go here to sign the March of Dimes petition for premies. Continue reading

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March of Dimes Interview for Prematurity Awareness Month

Dr. Laura Riley answers some important questions on prematurity and birth interventions for the March of Dimes and Birth Activist.

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Thalia’s Virtual Baby Shower Supports the March of Dimes

As a national spokesperson for the March of Dimes, Latina pop superstar, Thalia Sodi knows the importance of giving every baby a healthy start. Thalia and her husband Tommy Mottola are expecting a little girl in October. She is encouraging fans who would like to present her with gifts, to log on to the first-ever “virtual baby shower” on AOL Latino and donate to the March of Dimes. Her video shows her explaining what a baby shower is for those visitors from other countries; opening presents; and encouraging her fans to send a donation to the March of Dimes in lieu of gifts.
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Spanish Language Blog!

Beverly Robertson from the March of Dimes is here at Lamaze with me. She and I started talking today and I found out she has a cool Spanish language blog. Check it out at: http://blog.nacersano.org/

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Urge Action on PREEMIE Bill

From the March of Dimes:



There are only about 48 hours left before Congress adjourns for the year. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (TX) is using the PREEMIE bill to negotiate over another bill in which he has an interest. The content of PREEMIE has been cleared by all, including Chairman Barton’s office. It has been pending in his Committee for over 2 years and was unanimously approved by the Senate on August 1. Please call your Representative today and request they ask Rep. Barton and Majority Leader Boehner to let the House vote on S. 707 before Congress adjourns.


Call the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 or go to http://links.marchofdimes.com/ajtk/servlet/JJ?H=14itxb&R=680790184 to obtain your Representative’s phone number and tell him/her to ask Reps. Barton and Boehner to put the PREEMIE Act on the House floor for a vote today.


Below are points that you can make:

  • You have been personally affected by preterm birth (briefly explain your story and the impact on your family)

  • The PREEMIE Act has strong bipartisan support and 97 House co-sponsors.

  • The PREEMIE Act is desperately needed to stem the growing crisis of preterm birth.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 500,000 babies are born too soon each year. Since 1981, that number has increased by over 30%.

  • The National Academy of Sciences (Institute of Medicine) estimates the economic burden of preterm birth in the US was at least $26.2 billion in 2005, or $51,600 per infant born preterm. Approximately half of the cost of health care is borne by employers and families with the remainder billed to Medicaid, S-CHIP and other public programs.


Background


For more than 2 years, the March of Dimes has worked with Representatives and Senators from across the nation to enact “PREEMIE.” (S.707/H.R.2861). The bill calls for creation of a public-private agenda to accelerate the development of new strategies for preventing preterm birth and for treating babies who are born too soon.


The principal bill sponsors are Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Chris Dodd (D-CT). The Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent on August 1, 2006. Currently, PREEMIE must now be acted on by the House of Representatives before it can be sent to President Bush for his signature.


For more information, contact the March of Dimes Office of Government Affairs (202) 659-1800.

This e-mail is sponsored by the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization. The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.


For more information about the March of Dimes, visit our Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/.
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Help Fight Prematurity

The March of Dimes is petitioning Google to give them an infamous Google Doodle for Prematurity day on 11/14/06. Sign their petition to get it listed:

http://www.marchofdimes.com/forms/signPetition.asp Continue reading

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