Our sincere thanks to the half million people who stepped out to save babies in WalkAmerica 2003. Your commitment to WalkAmerica helps the March of Dimes fund lifesaving research and programs to fight premature birth and other infant health threats.

Each month we receive many e-mails from parents responding to our Personal Spotlight section. Most of these refer to the comfort that these stories bring to them. We also receive e-mails from parents who comment on why we only include "miracle" stories when their experience didn't have that ending. That is why this month's Personal Spotlight is the story of triplets born prematurely at only 23 weeks. The family is thankful for thanks to the time they got to spend with their sons who live on in their parents memory

Because you are part of the March of Dimes family, we're sharing this story with you, as well as important information on:

• Mothers March Online - Summer 2003 Campaign
  
• March of Dimes interactive perinatal data resource
• pregnancy after 35, and
• our "Tip of the Month"
  

Visit marchofdimes.com to read more. Share your comments, suggestions and feedback on this newsletter with us by e-mailing newsletter@marchofdimes.com

Dear March of Dimes, Our story might not touch some of your readers as one of your "miracles" stories, but we believe it is. After a few years of fertility treatments, we got pregnant with triplets thanks to artificial insemination. The pregnancy was the joy of our lives and every pound that was gained brought a smile to our faces. Our first son William Bailey was born at 22.6 weeks weighing only 1 pound 3 ounces. He could not regulate his body temperature and tearfully our little hero Will passed away in our arms after 36 short hours. Two days later I contracted pulmonary edema and was forced to deliver my other two boys in the ICU. Daniel Calloway and Michael Owen were both born at 1 pound, and taken to the NICU. Owen, the smallest, had a very difficult birth. He suffered electrolyte imbalances, pulmonary hemorrhages resulting in chest tubes, and then several brain hemorrhages. After watching him seize for an entire day, we took him off the ventilator and Owen died at three days old in our arms. Our middle child, Cal, was the strongest fighter. He lived seven wonderful months and we spent as much time with him as possible. After a tracheotomy, many gastric and liver problems, and going blind due to ROP disease and surgery, Cal passed away too. We believed he took away the last part of our heart. We thank the March of Dimes for each moment we spent with our children. We truly believe that the resources given by the foundation are the reason any of our children lived past birth and ultimately gave us our only memories with our sons. We also appreciate all the resources given to parents and families who experience this grief. It has been a crutch over the last year and we are so grateful. As we are now experiencing our spontaneous second pregnancy, our hearts are again open and we hope we can be a source of comfort and information for future parents in our same predicament. God bless you for all your work and dedication. Sincerely, Danny and Kelly

Please consider making a donation today to help save babies.

How many babies...
What states have the highest preterm birth rates?
What is the preterm birth rate in your county?

PeriStats is your online source for perinatal statistics developed by the March of Dimes. The PeriStats Web site provides quick and easy access to maternal and infant health data at the national, state and county level. Data are also available for the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. PeriStats Web site users can instantly display graphs, tables and maps, for indicators such as preterm birth, low birthweight, infant mortality, health insurance coverage and prenatal care utilization. "At a glance" summaries and Prematurity Profiles are available for the United States and all states.

PeriStats uses data compiled from several national sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the National Center for Health Statistics, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Bureau of the Census.

Click here to go to the PeriStats site.

Most women over age 35 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Recent studies suggest, however, that older moms do face some special risks.

Since the late 1970s, birth rates for women in their late 30s and 40s have increased dramatically. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, between 1978 and 2000, the birth rates for women age 35 to 39 and 40 to 44 more than doubled.

Advances in medical care now help women in their late 30s and 40s have safer pregnancies than in the past. However, women should be aware of the risks associated with later childbearing so that they can make informed decisions about their pregnancies.

Find out more about what you need to know from our Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center. sm

Do you know of a baby who was born prematurely?
Visit our Prematurity
Web site.

Hamster hazard
Pregnant women should ask someone else to clean the hamster's cage, or better yet, put off getting a hamster until after the baby is born. These and other rodents can carry a virus that may pose a risk to an unborn baby if the mother becomes infected.

Donate your car to the March of Dimes - and receive a charitable deduction.
The March of Dimes gratefully accepts donations of all kinds, including your old car! Plus, if you donate a vehicle to the March of Dimes, you may be able to deduct its fair market value from your income tax. To learn more, click here or call 1-888-898-1114