March of Dimes Moment

Today I am going to tell you guys about something close to my heart - babies. More specifically healthy babies. Everyone knows that it takes nine months (40 weeks) for a baby to fully develop in the womb. But what if the baby is born early?

Many health problems are associated with premature birth. Even a baby born at 37 weeks may have lung problems, as they are the last organ to develop. Many babies spend weeks or months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They are unable to breathe or eat on their own. Can you imagine having to leave the hospital without your newborn? Can you imagine not knowing if your little one is going to make it through the night?

The March of Dimes is an amazing non-profit organization dedicated to healthy babies. Their goal is for every baby to have a full nine months of development in the womb. They also have made huge medical advances in helping those who are born early.

This organization means so much to me as a mom. As you will see in our story below, we were lucky. Not all families have the easy or happy ending we did. To help support healthy babies everywhere, my family and I are participating in March for Babies. Please consider walking with us if you live in the Norfolk, VA area. If you are unable to participate, a donation of any size is greatly appreciated! To join our team, make a donation or for more information you can visit our site here. You can also make a donation using the March of Dimes widget in my left-hand side bar.

Ella's Story

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. I'm walking in March for Babies because I want to do something about this. And I need your help.

We have personally been touched by the medical advances made by March of Dimes research. I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks. The doctors were able to stop the labor and gave me a series of steroid shots to help our baby's lungs develop. Ella was born only 2 weeks early and was as healthy as can be. She was 6 pounds 6 ounces (102 ounces). Thanks to the March of Dimes we have a beautiful and healthy baby girl! She is now a year old! In honor of Ella, we are asking all of our friends and family to donate $10.20 or 102 dimes to celebrate the 102 ounces she weighed when she was born. Obviously a gift of any size is greatly appreciated and can help all babies to be born healthy!

All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

If you have a story about premature birth and would like to be featured at A Cuppy Cake Life, please email me at acuppycakelife@hotmail.com.

Thank you in advance for partnering with me for healthy babies!