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Premature Awareness Month

Premature Awareness Month And Financial Wellness

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 85-year legacy, they support every pregnant person and every family. 

NuMoola has partnered with the March of Dimes to bring awareness and support for Premature Awareness Month. As a family-friendly app, we care for all families at every life stage – even the very early ones. According to the CDC, “About 1 in 10 babies are born preterm, or before completing the normal 37 to 40 weeks of pregnancy.” In the U.S. alone, there are nearly 400,000 babies who are born prematurely each year.  

What Is Premature Awareness Month? 

Prematurity Awareness Month is an important moment each year to reflect on the current state of maternal and infant health in the U.S. and around the world. Throughout November, March of Dimes raises awareness of the health crisis of preterm birth and asks for lifesaving donations in honor of World Prematurity Day on November 17 to help all families have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. It also is a time for families to come together as there is an unspoken connection through their struggles, wins, and losses. 

Financial Wellness  

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. However, with this time comes much unknown and uncertainty. Before you begin this journey, it’s a good idea to look at your finances and get them in order. If you don’t do this already, sit down with your spouse or a close friend that you trust, and talk about where you are financially. 

In one of NuMoola’s recent blogs, we shared 4 finance tips for new parents. We talked about the importance of updating your household budget to prepare for what’s ahead and building your emergency fund to prepare financially for anything that could come your way. Check it out for a refresher! 

During pregnancy, it’s important to have the funds necessary to take care of yourself and the baby. You need to eat healthy foods, be sure to go to your prenatal care checkups, exercise, and take time to relax. This gives you, and the little one you are already caring for, the best start.  

Even if you’re doing all of the things you’ve read and have been told about, sometimes you have no control over when your baby makes their debut! Having your finances in order can help alleviate the financial stress that can be worrisome during this time. 

Costs Associated With Preterm Babies 

Each year in the U.S., 1 in 10 babies is born preterm, which leads to adverse health outcomes for the mom and baby. It’s estimated that a preterm baby spends 25.4 days in the hospital for a total of $144,692 in healthcare costs. March of Dimes reported that costs associated with a preterm birth add up to about $26.2 billion for the U.S. healthcare system each year. This includes medical and health care costs for the baby, labor and delivery costs for the mom, early intervention services, special education services, and the loss of work and pay when babies with disabilities grow to adulthood. 

How You Can Help 

Whether you have personally been affected or know someone who has gone through a preterm birth, you are not alone. Organizations like March of Dimes are helping to make a difference by raising awareness of the maternal and infant health crisis and to create lasting change in communities across the U.S. Check out the 2022 March of Dimes Report Card to see how your state ranks on the report card and ways you can help support this Premature Awareness Month!