The March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month. Worldwide, 13 million babies are born too soon each year. In the United States, 1 in 8 infants is born prematurely; nearly 500,000 every year. All the reasons that babies are born prematurely are not known, but the March of Dimes is working to address this crisis both at home and abroad. They hope to draw attention to this increasingly common and serious public health issue, and to continue to raise awareness that every week of a pregnancy counts.
You should contact your health care provider without delay if you experience signs of premature labor that include:
Abdominal cramps (like menstrual cramps)
Pressure in the pelvis
Regular contractions or tightening – more than 4 contractions in 1 hour, either with OR without pain
Vaginal discharge, an increase in the amount, or a change in the type - watery to bloody
Loose stool or diarrhea
When a baby is born prematurely (before 36 completed weeks of pregnancy), you and your partner may worry and feel overwhelmed, since many premature babies need extra care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and at home. You might wonder why you went into labor early and if there were anything that you could have done differently to prevent it. You also may feel like you have a lot to learn and understand about how to care for your baby and what to expect in the next few years. Often connecting with others who have similar experiences can help you cope.
To learn more about premature birth visit our Pregnancy section and find out why every week of your pregnancy counts at the March of Dimes website.
The March of Dimes has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month. Worldwide, 13 million babies are born too soon each year. In the United States, 1 in 8 infants is born prematurely; nearly 500,000 every year. All the reasons that babies are born prematurely are not known, but the March of Dimes is working to address this crisis both at home and abroad. They hope to draw attention to this increasingly common and serious public health issue, and to continue to raise awareness that every week of a pregnancy counts.