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In many communities, April means March of Dimes WalkAmerica,
the walk to fight prematurity. Please check our WalkAmerica
Web site to find out if there's still be time to register and
walk to save babies in your area. We will update you on the success
of WalkAmerica 2003 in next months newsletter. Featured in this
month's Personal Spotlight is the story of Tyler, a baby born
at 26 weeks. Although his first 98 days after birth were a struggle,
he survived thanks to his fighting spirit and advances made possible
by March of Dimes research.
Since you're part of the March of Dimes family, we're sharing
this story with you, as well as important information in this
issue on:
- our work in advocacy
- choosing a health care provider, and
- our "Tip of the Month"
Visit marchofdimes.com
to read more and share your comments, suggestions and feedback
on this newsletter with us by e-mailing newsletter@marchofdimes.com
| PERSONAL SPOTLIGHT
- TYLER JAMESON |
Dear March of Dimes,
I developed preeclampsia with my first baby and was hospitalized
on complete bed rest. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown
and the only cure is delivery. Because I was only 26 weeks
into my pregnancy, we were hoping to delay delivery at least
another month. However, our efforts failed. Due to placental
abruption, Tyler was delivered by emergency c-section at 26
weeks. He stayed in the NICU for 98 days.
Tyler experienced many of the common complications associated
with extreme prematurity including respiratory distress
syndrome, apnea, anemia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular
hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosis, jaundice and infections.
The most life-threatening were the infections of sepsis
(blood infection), pneumonia and bacterial meningitis as
well as having a pulmonary hemorrhage. As a result of his
illnesses, he developed hydrocephalus requiring two shunt
surgeries before the age of six months. Every day, it seemed
the doctors were telling us something else was wrong.
But thanks to God, the wonderful doctors and nurses and
medical advances our son is doing wonderful. Tyler is now
2 years old and showing no signs of cerebral palsy, vision
or hearing problems, or other disabilities common in premature
babies. I have been told by our pediatrician, NICU doctors,
nurses and therapists that Tyler is truly a miracle.
I had no idea how common prematurity was until I experienced
it myself. I am grateful for the March of Dimes and what
they are doing to help save premature babies and improve
their quality of life.
Shellee Jameson
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
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Please consider making a donation
today to help save babies
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| SPEAKING OUT
ON BEHALF OF BABIES |
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March of Dimes volunteers speak out at federal,
state and local levels of government on behalf of America's families.
By giving testimony, writing and visiting their public officials,
they encourage policymakers to invest in and support policies
and laws that benefit families and keep the health of mothers
and babies at the top of our national and state agendas.
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Bringing Visibility to the Prematurity
Campaign
Advocacy plays a major role in bringing national visibility
to the problem of prematurity and to the steps necessary
to defeat it. March of Dimes volunteers are focusing on:
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- Raising public awareness of the growing problem of premature
birth by: urging public officials in federal and state governments
to create and support programs to reach women of childbearing
age; raising public awareness of the financial costs of premature
birth.
- Leading the advocacy effort to create state programs to assist
health care providers in improving detection of women at risk
for premature birth.
- Advocating to increase federal and state support of scientific
research on prematurity.
- Working in all states and on the federal level to expand access
to health coverage for pregnant women, infants and children.
Check our Prematurity Web
site.
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CHOOSING A HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER -
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW |
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You can choose either a doctor (physician) or midwife to take
care of you during your pregnancy and to deliver your baby.
An obstetrician (OB) is a medical doctor who specializes
in the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth and recuperation
from delivery. About 8 in 10 pregnant women choose obstetricians.
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A family practice doctor is a medical doctor with
training in all aspects of health care for every member of
the family. A family practice doctor can be your health care
provider before and after your pregnancy, and your baby’s
doctor, too. |
A certified nurse-midwife is a registered nurse with thorough
training and experience in taking care of pregnant women and delivering
babies. Certified nurse-midwives are licensed to provide care before,
during and after delivery.
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Regards,
The March of Dimes
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TIP OF
THE MONTH
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It's never too late to quit.
Smoking nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a
low-birthweight baby. But a pregnant woman who stops
smoking by the end of her first trimester is no more
likely to have a low-birthweight baby than a woman
who never smoked. Even quitting during the third trimester
improves the baby's growth.
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bandingtogether
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Do you know of a baby who was born prematurely?
Click
now and help us defeat prematurity.
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GYMBOREE
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A MOTHER'S STORY
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Send us your birth story.
Miracles is always looking for new childbirth stories for
our e-mail newsletter. If you would like to share your personal
story, please e-mail
us.
We can't guarantee that every story will be used.
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