On Sunday, 17th November 2013, organisations around the globe will be raising awareness. Please join them in making hugs possible for all babies, and help make a real difference to babies born too soon/ Together we can be the voice for babies and their families, making sure their needs are heard around the world.
Bliss (the UK charity for babies born too soon, too small, too sick) asks everyone to help share awareness by
Tweeting the following message this weekend
I am supporting #wpd to help the 15 million babies born too soon each year with @BlissCharity #GiveAHug
Updating your Facebook status this weekend with this message
I am giving a hug on World Prematurity Day in support of the 15 million babies born too soon throughout the world each year. Help us raise awareness of the serious issues faced by them and their families by sharing and liking and by giving a hug #GiveAHug
My Scarlett decided to make her arrival into the world a whole 4 weeks early and is technically a "preemie", but at 7lbs exactly, we were very lucky she was only in NICU for a few hours.
Her is her story in photos!
Scarlett mere minutes after being born via c-section on 5th March 2012
Mummy and Scarlett resting in the recovery room after Scarlett's brief visit to NICU
Scarlett "chilling" in her heated incubator with a cannula in her tiny hand to provide antibiotics to prevent infection
Scarlett having a snooze in her incubator
"Hello world", Scarlett peeping through the incubator window
After 48 hours on the high dependency ward, Scarlett was able to go in the standard hospital cot!
We were allowed home after 3 days in hospital
Scarlett at 7 days old
Scarlett and her big brother at 2 weeks old
Scarlett at one month old
Scarlett now, at 20 months old
But not all babies are lucky. Some need intensive support and care immediately after birth, sometimes continuing for numerous weeks or even months.
You can read the story of Rhys, born 14 weeks early at 1lb 10oz to Vicky and Matt Gardner on the Bliss
And the story of Joseph, born to Kylie, one of my lovely blogging friends. Joseph was born at 27 weeks gestation weighing 1lbs 7ozs. You can read Joseph's story on Kylie's blog: http://notevena.blogspot.co.uk/
I'd also like to mention the UK charity Pop'n'Grow!
Pop ‘N’ Grow is a UK charity who supply FREE specially modified baby clothing to children in neonatal intensive care, special care and transitional ward care, paediatric intensive care and clothing to children up to the age of sixteen who require regular medical treatment.
They supply clothing that ranges in size from tiny 2lb baby weight incubator vests; through to our 0-3 month baby grows and then specially modified clothing for children up to the age of sixteen. All of this clothing is designed to work WITH the leads, wires, tubes and machines that is so vital to these children’s treatment and recovery.
https://www.facebook.com/WorldPrematurityDay
Bliss UK website:
http://www.bliss.org.uk/media-centre/wpd/?gclid=CKLpus-q6boCFZCWtAodmHwAqQ
