The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20041218103739/https://www.modimes.org/newsletters/January2004_GenericBaby.htm

  E-MAIL NEWSLETTER January, 2004
Dear Friend,

The new year is under way, and we have large goals and larger dreams to pursue. We are striving to gain insight into the causes of prematurity and to reduce the occurrence of birth defects. To accomplish this, we are looking to increase our fund raising in 2004.

I personally want to thank all of you who supported the foundation in 2003 with a donation. Every dollar helps give more babies a healthy start in life. We also had a very successful initial Prematurity Awareness Day on November 18th. We owe this to all of you. Thank you.

This month's Personal Spotlight features the story of Beth, who went into labor three months early during Christmas vacation. Because you are part of the March of Dimes family, we're sharing her story with you. Also in this newsletter, you'll learn about:

• the flu and your baby
• infections linked to premature birth
• Kelly Clarkson's role in March of Dimes Team Youth
• our "Tip of the Month"
• help Save Our History!
• Polio Pioneers and the 50th anniversary of the Salk vaccine field trials



 
Visit marchofdimes.com to read more. Share your
comments, suggestions and feedback on this newsletter
by e-mailing newsletter@marchofdimes.com

  PERSONAL SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTMAS VACATION
 
Dear March of Dimes,		  
   

Our son Robbie was born on our last Disneyworld /Florida /Christmas vacation… 3 months before he was due.

I developed severe preeclampsia and was hospitalized. My mom and dad watched my other children as I was transferred to a level 3 NICU in Tampa. I was getting sicker and the baby was not moving anymore. His heartbeat was very faint and he was dying. The doctors set up for an emergency c-section but warned me that I may not make it. Delivery was the only cure, and as I went into HELLP syndrome I was given my last rites and had to leave it to God.

Well, the baby and I made it. Robbie was born on December 31, 2001 at 1 pound, 3 ounces and was 11 inches long. He was not doing very well and given little to no chance of survival. His first week he had two small brain bleeds, hypertension, high and low blood pressure, blood transfusions, platelets, plasma, low O2 saturations , fluid on and around the heart and lungs, BPD, GEED reflux, ROP, and more. He had just about every problem a preemie baby could have, and then some.

When he was a week old, we were told that Robbie was dying. They could not bring his O2 saturations up and explained that brain damage may occur. They told us the only two choices we could make were to keep him on the vent where he would die or be in a vegetative state, or take him off the vent and hold him as he passes. I begged them to try something… anything. The doctor tried nitric oxide treatment. After day two, his O2 level came up some… but not alot. The doctors and nurses all worked very hard for Robbie, but he worked the hardest. While in Tampa, the NICU let us get involved with many things, including their annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica fundraiser.

After Robbie's 8-month stay in Tampa, he was finally stable enough to be transported to the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. We were finally back home. After a total of 10 operations and an 11-month hospital stay, he finally got to come home with us on December 3, 2002.

Now Robbie is coming up on his second year, and there is so much to look forward to. He is weaning off the vent. He is also starting to take food orally, so hopefully he will get rid of the g-tube for feeding. They think his ASD (hole in the heart) will close on its own, and he wears glasses.

So not only did God bless all of us, but so did the March of Dimes. I honestly know that if it were not for them, as well as the dedicated doctors and nurses, the support of his siblings and Robbie's will to survive, he would not be here today giving us happiness and joy. We are very grateful for the March of Dimes and will always help in any way we can. We were not aware of everything they did before Robbie was born. Now that we do, we plan to always help raise awareness and lend our full support.

Thank you.
Beth
Proud Mom to 2 amazing children and 1 tiny little hero

  
 
  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Flu and Your Baby

Mother and Baby

The flu (influenza) is a contagious illness caused by one of the three influenza viruses (types A, B, C). The viruses typically circulate during winter months (November–March). These viruses spread through the air in droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze, as well as by contact with infected surfaces or hands (for example, poor hand washing).

If your child suddenly develops a high fever (above 101° F) accompanied by chills, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, dry cough and runny nose, he or she may have the flu.


Find out more about what you need to know from our
Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center.

  NEWS FROM THE MARCH OF DIMES
Infections and Other Risk Factors Linked to Premature Birth, Experts Say

NEW YORK, DEC. 4, 2003 – Common infections of the genital tract account for up to 50 percent of preterm births, especially those that occur before 30 weeks, experts today told a gathering of reporters and editors sponsored by the March of Dimes.
 
  POLIO PIONEERS

2004 Represents the 50th Anniversary of the
Salk Polio Vaccine Field Trial.

Fifty years ago, a national field trial began on more than one million, eight hundred thousand children, ages six to nine, who became known as Polio Pioneers. On April 12, 1955, the results were announced: the vaccine was safe, potent and effective. In the two years before the vaccine was widely available, the average number of polio cases in the U.S. was more than 45,000 a year. By 1962, that number had dropped to 910.

Elvis - Polio Vaccine
Elvis Presley
receiving his polio vaccination.

To commemorate this historic anniversary, Miracles will bring you a vintage photograph every month from the March of Dimes archives, taken during the polio vaccine rollout fifty years ago.
 

Best,

Editor
Miracles Online
March of Dimes

This online newsletter is sponsored by the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization. The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality.

For more information about the March of Dimes, visit our Web site at marchofdimes.com. This newsletter is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 2004
  HOW YOU CAN HELP
 
Have you found this newsletter interesting?

Please consider making a secure online donation today to help save babies!

Click here.

  
 


Kelly Clarkson worked hard to become an "American Idol." Now she's channeling some of her energy to helping the March of Dimes save babies. Kelly has signed on as Team Youth's first celebrity ambassador.

To visit our Team Youth page,
click here.

  
 


Join others in the fight to
defeat premature birth, so
every baby can get a
healthy start.



  
  YOUR POLIO PIONEER STORY
 


Send us your story.


The March of Dimes is looking for your Polio Pioneer stories. If you would like to share your personal story, please e-mail us.

  
  SAVE OUR HISTORY
 


The profile of our founder President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the dime is a reminder of how he united a nation to beat polio one dime at a time. Help keep FDR on the dime!

  TIP OF THE MONTH
 
Breathing Easier


Poorly controlled asthma can cause complications for mother and baby. But as long as your asthma is well controlled, it shouldn't affect your baby's health. Fortunately, most asthma medications are safe in pregnancy.