Tuesday, November 17, 2009

March On: The Fight for Preemies

Few moments defy explanation. Discovering you are expecting not one, but two (or more) babies is undoubtedly one of them. The giddy excitement is inevitably sobered with a medical professional's caveat: "We need to be extra cautious in your prenatal care. The vast majority of multiple pregnancies result in premature births."

The docs joketh not. An average plural pregnancy so frequently concludes between 36-37 weeks, many doctors go so far as to call delivery in that range "term for twins."

Truth? "Term" for any baby is 40 weeks.
Tell that to multiple babies on the move.


Thank heaven for the March of Dimes. An organization so committed to neonatal health---that regardless of gestational duration---in the 21st century, twin-expectant moms (and dads) count the days to 28 weeks...knowing preemie viability at that mile-marker has skyrocketed in recent years due largely to their compassionate intervention.

My husband Scott and I know how blessed we were to have our twin pregnancy last to 36 weeks, 5 days. We feel even more blessed to know care for preemies is so honed, when our OB-GYN (for sudden perceived via ultrasound weight disparity concerns determined a premature induction would be in our infants' best interest), our anxieties were minimal. Three+ weeks early.
November 17th, we fight for preemies.

Share your tale below. Share any financial support you can with the March of Dimes.
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15 comments:

Unknown said...

so tiny and so sweet!

ChefDruck said...

Can't believe how small they were. Prematurity is so scary... thank goodness they were fine.

Gucci Mama said...

Such beautiful babies! The March of Dimes is something that we really value. Our daughter was born at 34 weeks after I spent weeks in the hospital on bed rest because of severe preeclampsia and IUGR. Incredibly, miraculously, she was born very healthy and spent no time in the NICU. She was very tiny, three and a half pounds, and she does have some struggles resulting from being born so early and so small. But overall, she's a very healthy and incredibly wonderful little girl.
Anyway, we supported the March of Dimes before our preemie experience, but now we have a special connection.

cat said...

So true Cheryl, we tend to think of our 36/37 week twins as full term, where in reality they were preemies.

debi9kids said...

You have such a beautiful way with words!
How right you are...I counted the days, the weeks, until i hit 28 weeks and then, only then, would I let myself even breathe a little bit.
It's just amazing where our "babies" are today, isn't it?

SouthernDogwoods said...

I agree with Debi - you have a beautiful way with words! I love that sweet picture of your little blessings!

mommytoalot said...

Awwww how sweet. The March of Dimes has helped us here as well.

MoDLin said...

What adorable kiddies! You're right about how lucky you were to carry them as long as you did. Thanks for reminding all of us that it's so important to fight for preemies!

Carrie at FoxTwins said...

Your post is beautifully written. My twins were born at 36 weeks and 5 days too! See our post at http://foxtwins.com/?p=181. Thanks for speaking so well for preemies!

Anonymous said...

Our girls were born at 37.5 weeks, weighing more than 6 lbs each. I never thought of them as premies, although maybe I should.

Dana said...

The March of Dimes is amazing!

Although I had a single baby, he came at 33 weeks 6 days. Scary stuff. I'd never before seen a baby so tiny.

He's still a pretty little guy, 16 months old (today!) and only 20 pounds, but full of life.

The March of Dimes had representatives in the NICU to calm our fears, explain equiptment and procedures and just check on us, that alone was more than I expected, as a new mom. Amazing organization.

Amy said...

We are so lucky to have the medical care we have, especially living close to Boston. Thankfully, there are many good outcomes to premature deliveries

Jen said...

this is such a good fight to be fighting!

Sharlene said...

I was told I wouldn't make it to 29 weeks with my twins. I made it to 35 weeks and 6 days. I felt so blessed to be able to take them home with me but we are still had to deal with the consequences of a premature birth. Regardless- we were so blessed and we need to keep people aware of those who have had to endure the ultimate struggle of loss or watching their tiny little ones struggle to breath. Thank you for helping bring awareness to this important cause.

in time out said...

beautiful babies, wonderful post. on my family blog today I posted my sisters twins. They just started climbing out of their cribs and she is frantic about the messes they can make in three minutes flat.

I wanted her to remember...way back when....and posted a Way Back Wednesday a day early dedicated to her...

I am ready for tomorrows....way back!!! and excited. hugs.

Have a happy day!