When I first started the “Preemie Twins” website back in 1998 on Tripod.com, I had a guestbook where others could share their preemie and/or multiples stories. I have saved those hundreds of entries, but have been a bit lazy in adding them since I upgraded the site to a Wordpress blog.

But with some encouragement of my friend, Andrew Wee, I have decided to get motivated and add the stories, as it really is encouraging and comforting to read about other people that have endured similar experiences. Be patient as it may take me a bit of time to transfer them all. And knowing me, I’ll want to re-read them all again.

I encourage new visitors to submit their story as well for inclusion. This is will save me time using this new site, so your story should appear rather quickly on the site. I look forward to reading your stories! Here’s Macy & Mallory’s Story (my million dollar miracle babies).

Pictures of the ‘miracle’ five-day-old premature baby fitted with a pacemaker

Liam King’s parents were told their little boy would probably not survive more than 15 minutes after his birth. But the tiny tot, who was born with a heart defect, not only defied medical odds by surviving but went on to have a pacemaker fitted at just five days old.
Read Entire Story.

Saw this segment on the Today Show this morning…
Preemies’ death risks continue into childhood
Those born early also more likely to be less educated, childless, study says.
Read full article.

I wish 13 years ago there was such a thing as this Memory Baby Handprint and Baby Footprint Mold Keepsake Kit so I could have made a mold of Macy and Mallory to remember just how tiny their little fingers and toes were when they were born at 2 lbs. each.  It is hard for others to comprehend that you really could fit a wedding band around their ankle.  This would have proved it.  Available to mold in plaster, silver, bronze, gold and/or clear crystal from BabyImpressions.com. Make a 3-D mold of your infant or toddler’s baby handprint and baby footprint. Each baby handprint and footprint kit comes with everything you need to make 2 molds.  So realistic! Captures every detail! Make a baby handprint and baby footprint mold with the included extra supplies!

ABC’s prime time Emmy nominated program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, would like to highlight a March of Dimes family who has a prematurity story.

Please note that families must own their home and the home should tie into their story: Either the home needs to be fixed in order to bring the baby home from the hospital or they spent all their savings on medical expenses, and their house has suffered greatly because of it.

If you know of a family who desperately needs their home repaired and/or totally remodeled, please ask them to send an email describing the family story with names and ages of everyone and why their house needs remodeling to Kelly Mooney at Kelly@emhe.tv, no later than June 15, 2007. If you have any questions contact Todd Dezen at 914.997.4608, or tdezen@marchofdimes.com. Click for More Info.

A study at the Indiana University School of Medicine found that the premature birth rates in the United States could be linked with increased use of pesticides and nitrates.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, pesticide and nitrate levels in surface water were highest May–June and lowest August–September. The highest prematurity rate occurred May-June (11.91 percent) and the lowest August-September (10.79 percent), regardless of maternal age, race, education, marital status, alcohol/cigarette use, or a urban/suburban/rural setting.

The study was conducted between 1996 and 2002 and included more than 27 million U.S. live births.

Original Story from e-Preemie