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World Prematurity Day is an annual observance celebrated on November 17th of every year. Babies born earlier are said to be premature babies, and premature birth is a serious health problem. Every year from all over the world, one million babies are born prematurely. More than a million dies due to preterm birth, and most often, those babies born too earlier and lives may tend to face more health issues. World Prematurity Day is observed to raise awareness among people about preterm birth and the concerns of preterm babies and their families worldwide. Awareness Day spreads information about how to help and support the affected families.
“As a father and grandfather, I have witnessed firsthand the joy of new life entering the world. I know the pain and apprehension that goes along with premature births and birth defects.” – Solomon Ortiz
History of World Prematurity Day
The first observance of World Prematurity Day was held in the year 2011. It was created by European parent organizations in 2008 as an international awareness day. The Day is observed to raise awareness of preterm birth and the impact it can have on families. The term prematurity in the medical term refers to the birth of a baby that takes place in less than 37 weeks after the mother’s last regular menstrual period or the gestational age. When a baby is born during such time, is known as premature birth or preterm birth. Premature infants are referred to as preemies. The mortality rate of the preemies is higher although, there is a lot of medical development that has taken place in the treatment of preemies.
Premature infants are those who are at a higher risk of being afflicted with many disorders and diseases when compared with the standard born full-term babies. Those babies have a more extended hospital stay than normal babies. Most often the preterm babies will spend their time in Neonatal Intensive Care Units or special care nurseries until they become stable and healthy enough to be taken home. Babies who withstand will often have lifelong health problems like vision and hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. Global, there are about 15 million babies born preterm and among which more than a million die as a result.
The cause of preterm birth is often not known. Numerous reasons are there that increases the risk of giving birth prematurely. It includes diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, vaginal infections, psychological stress, and obesity. Apart from which the mother’s general health, lifestyle choices, and carrying multiple babies are other reasons for the premature delivery. Often the parents and family members of prematurely born babies need both emotional and psychological guidance. It is vital to learn about the warning signs of pre-term labour including cramping, backache, regularly times contractions. When such symptoms are found, it is mandatory to discuss the pre-term labour risks with the respective care provider.
Other Celebrations on November 17
November 17 is also celebrated as
- National Homemade Bread Day
- National Take A Hike Day
- World Prematurity Day
- National UnFriend Day
- International Students Day
- National Epilepsy Day
How to Celebrate World Prematurity Day
Celebrating World Prematurity Day is quite simple. It is the best Day to know more in detail about prematurity, its symptoms, and the treatments. Get to know about the advancements available in the treatments. If you or someone know you are pregnant, then take this Day as a reminder to discuss the health condition of both the mother and baby. If you have a premature baby, then it is necessary to take care of the child in all the better way possible to maintain good health. Encourage women around you to get aware of this severe disease and its symptoms. Be a support to those parents who have premature babies and let them stay strong both physically and mentally. You can hold an event to raise and share your funds with those preterm babies. Share your views on social media using the hashtag #WorldPrematurityDay.
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