Today is World Prematurity Day
Today at 7pm millions of Mum’s and Dad’s across the world will be lighting a purple candle in honour of their premature baby.
One of our Go Ask Mum writer’s beautiful photo of her premature baby
Thursday 17th November is World Prematurity Day and the National Premmie Foundation are once again working and taking part in the international campaign to raise awareness of preterm birth.
In Australia, in the last year there have been approximately 25,000 premature babies born. Worldwide the number is 15 million premature births, 1 million of these babies do not survive. Each year the rate of preterm birth increases, however the National Premmie Foundation say that the general public know very little about it.
Premature birth is categorised as any baby born before 37 weeks gestation, and is the second leading cause of newborn death in the world. Although the statistics say that of the 15 million babies born premature, 14 million of those will survive, unfortunately these babies are at a huge risk of major health issues, including underdeveloped lungs, long term intensive care stays, cardiac conditions, cerebral palsy. It also increased the risk of neonatal and infant loss.
The National Premmie Foundation ask anyone who has had a premature baby, loss or who would like to support this special cause to light a candle at 7pm tonight and take a photo of you and your family with the candle and post it on their Facebook page.
