The Report Card is Released

Each year, the March of Dimes releases the Prematurity Birth Report Card. Both Minnesota (10%) and North Dakota (11.1%) were graded C this year.

The March of Dimes graded states by comparing each state’s rate of premature birth to the nation’s 2010 objective of 7.6 percent. Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. We don’t yet understand all the factors that contribute to premature birth. The nation must continue to make progress on research to identify causes and prevention strategies, and on interventions and quality improvement initiatives to improve outcomes. (reprinted from the March of Dimes)

Both of these state are important to me personally because in the area I live, the hospitals are not equipped to handle prematurity so most babies are transferred to Fargo or Grand Forks, North Dakota if delivered before 36 weeks. Because of the combination of mine and Carson's health problems at the end of his gestation, we had to be transferred to Minneapolis, MN to deliver at Fairview Medical Center.

The March of Dimes is working hard through advocacy and awareness to reduce the rate of preterm births. They support research and initiatives to help every baby get their nine months in the womb.

I support the March of Dimes through the March for Babies fund raising event each spring and I also volunteer with chapter events.

It would be my dream job to work with the March of Dimes for my entire nursing career to educate women and help every baby. Thankfully I have this blog to help raise awareness...if one person becomes more aware because of this writing, I have made a difference.