Funding for Pre-Term Birth Research

From the March of Dimes website...

The March of Dimes provides $3 million in new
funding for preterm birth research.

"WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., FEB. 22, 2012 - With the help of funding from
the March of Dimes, researchers from five states and Canada are seeking
answers to questions such as how cellular-level processes that control
uterine muscles may affect preterm labor, the causes of preeclampsia,
and how air pollution may affect pregnancy and preterm birth - all with
the goal of preventing preterm birth so more babies will get a healthy
start in life..."

Read the full story here.

I Don't Do Baby Showers

   WARNING: This is me giving ME, not me being negative. 

   
     I don't do baby showers. For 10 years I have said this and kindly declined invites to baby showers. I guess that it is something that I cannot always put into words. My path to motherhood is not typical. 3 losses (twins and a miscarriage) and a near miss (my now 9 year old son who was born prematurely, and is still here due to God's grace). It's not that I don't want to celebrate a new life born to my co-workers, family, or friends but there are times when I feel that I can't contribute to their path to motherhood. I don't know what it feels like to give birth to a child full-term or even remember how to embrace the blessings of a baby shower. Given my past pregnancy difficulties, I was not really afforded the space to even consider or experience a baby shower. If I attended one, what would I talk about? What would I say? How can I exchange stories with someone who has not had to grieve over the loss of a baby, pray every day and night for the strength of their living child or who made the NICU their home for 5 months? And to be honest, I am not sure if I have gained complete closure from losing Ben, Ali, and my Angel Baby. I am not sure how I would react if I did attend a baby shower. I recognize baby showers as my threshold of pain, but at the same time as a blessing for a new life in the eyes of others. Yes, I share my pregnancy stories and experience from the only point of view that I know how, which is why I started this blog.

     There is a time and place for everything. My pregnancy experiences are part of my testimony, but my testimony in regards to "my" pregnancy and child loss may not for everyone, especially at a baby shower.

Fighting Spina Bifida

     Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that affects the development of the spinal cord, its lining, the spinal nerves and the backbone. According to the March of Dimes website it is one of the most common birth defects affecting 1,500 children each year. Actors Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker have established a foundation in honor of their daughter who was born with spina bifida called Sophie's Voice Foundation. 

Below is a PSA video entitled "8 Babies" featuring Nicole Ari Parker that is also on their foundation's website. 

Weblink to Sophie's Voice Foundation

Welcome

   

     Nine years ago, I became the mother of a premature baby. My son was born at 29 weeks and weighted 2 1/4 pounds. The experience opened up a whole new world for me. But, it also introduced me to people and resources that helped my son and I get through the journey. With this blog I hope to offer stories, resources and information about the effects of premature birth and birth defects.