Marching for Babies

In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.  Our country's premature birth rate has rise by 36 percent over the past 25 years.

As all who read this blog know our family has personal experience with premature birth.  Ainsley was born at 28 weeks and 2 days, she was 2 pounds 12 ounces and 15 inches long.  She was in the NICU for two months.  Many people asked us if we knew why she came early, we don't know.  In fact in up to 40 percent of cases of premature birth the cause is unknown.

Ainsley's first week

The March of Dimes is an organization that funds research to help all babies be born full term and healthy.  This organization was originally founded by President Franklin Roosevelt to fight polio.  The foundation funded research to develop vaccines.  After this mission was accomplished the foundation shifted it's focus to premature birth and birth defects.  The March of Dimes has led the way in searching for genetic causes of birth defects, promoting newborn screening, and educating medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancies.

As the rate of premature birth has risen, the March of Dimes has created a Prematurity Campaign to address this crisis.  Part of this research is focusing on preventing premature birth.  Additionally, research is focused on improving treatment for premature babies. (Click on the links above to learn more about the Prematurity Campaign)

Research funded by the March of Dimes helped shape the care that I received when I went into preterm labor and it shaped the life-saving care that Ainsley received when she was in the NICU.  It is because of this care that Ainsley is a healthy, happy, loving, energetic 21 month old.

We are so thankful for all those who have put time, money, and research into this cause.  So, now we join in the effort to raise awareness and fund research to help all babies be born stronger and healthier!  On Saturday, April 28 we will be participating in March of Dimes, March for Babies.  Please visit our team site (we are Team Ainsley Marie).  At our site you can sign up to walk with us, simply click on the button that says "Join This Team".  If you are not able to walk with us, please donate to our team, you can do this by clicking on the "Donate to This Team Button" on our site.

Thank you for considering helping us and remember to visit our website by clicking on this link: Team Ainsley Marie.