Today is World Prematurity Day, as most of you know our son was born 8 weeks early weighing 2lbs 7oz, so education on Prematurity is near and dear to my heart. You can read more about our story, just click on the Cohen’s Story tab under our banner.
In the United States 12.5% of all births are premature. In Canada the rate is 8.5% and in Northern Europe it is only 5%.
The neonatal intensive care unit care costs us $6 billion every year (never mind all the follow up care, repeat hospitalizations, special ed in school etc.).
Prematurity accounts for 47% of all costs related to infant (less than age one) hospitalization and 27% of all pediatric stays in hospital. That’s right, 1/4 of the costs of hospitalization for every child under the age of 18 is from the NICU. Wow.
A healthy baby at term spends 1.9 days in the hospital. The average for preemies is 12.9 days. Cohen spent 29 days in the NICU. Some preemies are in for 200 days.
The cost of hospitalization at birth for a healthy term baby is $600. For a premature baby (average of all gestational ages) the cost is $15,100.
Prematurity is the leading cause of cerebral palsy.
Stats are from Dr. Jen Gunter author of The Preemie Primer
If if you are a preemie parent I Strongly suggest her book!
We will be giving away 4 Simple Statement Ornaments (pattern by Lisa @ goodknits) and a basketweave head wrap. 2 ornaments will be going to preemie families so if you have a preemie in your family please tell us a little bit about them. The other three items are for anybody to win….let us know one thing you are most thankful for. You can enter here, on our fb page, or tag us in a twitter post. Good Luck, wear purple, and spread awareness!
Our sweet miracle, Ryan, was born 12 weeks early and weighed 2lb 2oz. He is now 5 1/2 / 3 months old. He no longer needs oxygen and hopefully his apnea/heart monitor will be gone soon. He now weighs 12lb and doing well
Im thankful for our daughter Shelby Rae. We tried over 7 years to have a baby and two surgeries and finally blessed with a baby girl born 1 month early 5 weeks in the nicu and 3lbs. Now she is 10months and perfect!!!!
I do not have a preemie in my family, and I have never met Mr. Cohen, but through your sharing heart I’ve gotten to see him grow and thrive, and I am so thankful for such an incredible opportunity. I’m glad you spread the awareness for such an important topic!
I am so very thankful for the friends in my life. Friends mean I get to share in joys, struggles, smiles, tears, and I know that no matter how much time passes, I can pick up right where I left off with them, and I can be “me”. My friends have loved me through my worst and danced with me in my best, and I’m so grateful for their presence in my life!
I have so so many things to be thankful for! I was blessed with a loving husband who sticks by my side through thick and thin, and loves me regardless. We’ve only been married for 3 and a half years, but in those years, we’ve faced a lot of trials and errors, but have grown and came through each and every one of them.
I am so so lucky to always feel like the prettiest girl in his eyes, whether I be dressed up, or in sweats and no makeup.I look forward to many more years of happiness and blessings for the both of us.