Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick.  Babies who survive often face serious health challenges and can suffer from lasting disabilities.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, Nov. 17 is Prematurity Awareness Day, and MUSC is partnering with the March of Dimes to protect our smallest patients and reduce the rate of premature birth. 

There are several contributing factors to premature birth, such as women of childbearing age who are uninsured and those who smoke.  Recommendations for improvement are given in each of these areas, for example, federal and state support of smoking cessation as part of maternity care.  Another key recommendation is for hospitals and health care professionals to voluntarily assess Caesarean sections and inductions that occur prior to 39 weeks to ensure consistency with professional guidelines.  Babies born even a few weeks early are at greater risk of serious problems and re-hospitalization. 

“The medical treatment of preterm labor has largely not been very successful, particularly as the cervix becomes more dilated,” said Jill Mauldin, M.D., Perinatal service line medical director. “As a result, a patient’s best weapon to preventing preterm birth is knowledge of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor so that she can adjust her activity level accordingly and contact her provider when she has those symptoms.”

To educate more women in the community on those signs and symptoms, Mauldin gives a weekly update on what to expect in pregnancy in her Pregnancy Week by Week podcast series; http://www.muschealth.com/women/pregnancy_weekly.htm.  Women and Infant Services and the MUSChealth Website recently took silver for the Best in Class Innovators Award category at the Greystone Client Conference for these weekly pregnancy podcasts.

In addition to educational efforts, MUSC bolsters March of Dimes’ mission through fundraising. The MUSC March of Dimes team, March for Babies, hosts several fundraising events throughout the year, such as Blue Jeans for Babies and various bake sales. This year’s Chef Auction held Oct. 29 raised more than $83,000 for March of Dimes.

For more information about premature birth, to find out what you can do to help raise awareness, make a donation, or create a virtual band to honor a baby visit http://www.marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies.

by:  Megan Fink, M.M.C.
MUSC Media Relations

Charleston’s Embassy Suites Convention Center became Foodie Heaven for a few hours last week.  Eleven premiere local chefs served up their signature dishes for more than 360 guests who attended the annual Chef’s Auction on October 29th.  The tasting was followed by a silent and upbeat live auction of scores of unique items donated by local supporters.  The chefs, in addition to providing the many first class dishes, also generously donated imaginative dining packages to the auction.  There was spirited but friendly bidding for all of the desirable items.  MUSC Women’s Services was proud to be a top sponsor and early reports indicate that this year’s event raised more than $83,000 for the Charleston chapter.  Thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful cause and made the evening so successful.   

On the heels of the auction is Prematurity Awareness Month.  November 2009 marks the sixth Prematurity Awareness Month, and November 17th the sixth Prematurity Awareness Day.  The alarming increase in premature births over the past decade prompted the March of Dimes to launch a campaign to raise public awareness of premature birth and to find ways to reduce the occurrence.  We invite you to visit the following website, marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies, where you can learn more about the tolls of premature birth, find out what you can do to help raise awareness, or make a donation and create a virtual band to celebrate, honor or remember a baby.

Pictures from March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction

Watch The Savage Report on Comcast 2 today and tomorrow as they explore the flu shot controversy-- giving you both sides of the debate.  Dr. David Soper will be on to discuss swine flu and the risks to pregnant women, plus a discussion of vaccinating pregnant women, possible risks, what pregnant women should do, etc.

In our family roles as wives, mothers, daughters, nutritional coaches, and caregivers, we women make countless healthcare decisions.  The groceries we buy and the food we prepare determine lifelong preferences for our families.  Our conversations with our children about drugs, alcohol, and sex may have lasting impact on their behavior.  And from well-baby checks for our infants to end-of-life care for our parents, we make countless choices about where our families receive medical treatment.  In fact, it is estimated that 80% of all health care decisions are made by women.

Women Leading Wellness is a workshop series sponsored by women faculty of MUSC in partnership with the Center for Women.  As women we understand the complexities, challenges, and joys of our multiple family roles.  The goal of the series is to engage with the women of the tri-county community to discuss the pressing concerns of women as healthcare leaders within their families and within society.  Each workshop will consist of a panel discussion with MUSC women and community women, with plenty of time allotted for free-ranging discussion with participants.

Please click on www.musc.edu/women for a complete listing of the workshops and for registration information.  Call your sister or best friend, and join us for evenings of discussion that will educate and inspire you in one of the most important roles of your life – a woman leading wellness for her family.

The new Citadel Mall IMAX® Stadium 16 is opening and they are only charging $1.00 a ticket.  Check out the flyer above.  All of the proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Division of the March of Dimes. 

Having a baby is one of the most happiest times in a woman's life, but up to 20% of new mothers also face difficult bouts of depression.  Click here for one woman's story.

Mommy or Daddy-to be?  Check out MUSC Women & Infant Services new birth plan:  http://www.muschealth.com/birthplan/  Tell us what you think!

On Tuesday, August 18th from 6:00p.m.-10:00p.m., Manny’s Neighborhood Grill in West Ashley is giving 10% of their pre-tax receipts to the March of Dimes!

This is an easy way to support the March of Dimes mission – just take the family out to eat!

On Thursday, October 29,  the March of Dimes will host its 8th Annual Charleston Signature Chefs Auction at the Embassy Suites Convention Center.  The Signature Chefs Auction is an annual, black-tie event which pays tribute to the culinary excellence of leading local chefs, restaurant owners and caterers in the Charleston area. It is a highly visible event attracting a targeted group of consumers that includes influential business and social leaders in the Charleston area. This evening of entertainment combines a reception, gourmet sampling and silent auction with the excitement of a live auction. Luxury items, vacations and imaginative dining packages prepared by the finest cuisine artists are auctioned to the highest bidders.

For information about this event and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Meredith Repik at (843) 614-3355.

While summer is thought of as a time for relaxation and vacations, it is also the most deadly time for children 0-14, as nearly 3 million children will be rushed to emergency rooms during May through August for unintentional injuries.  To keep your children safe this summer you need to keep these safety tips in mind:

• Actively supervise your child when engaging in summertime activities, such as swimming and playing on playgrounds and backyards.
• Use the appropriate safety gear when your child is participating in summer activities.  Such as helmets when biking, a car seat when traveling in a motor vehicle, and life jackets when in or near open bodies of water.
• If you have a pool or a spa, it should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates, and it should be equipped with an anti-entrapment drain cover and safety vacuum release system. An inflatable pool needs to be surrounded by a fence, just like any other pool, and parents need to empty these pools when not in use.
• Make sure your home playground is safe. Keep 12 inches safe surfacing, such as mulch, shredded rubber or fine sand, extending at least six feet in all directions around the equipment. Remove hood and neck drawstrings from your child’s clothing.
• Keep children away from the grill area while preheating and cooking, and while the grill is cooling.
• Remove potential poisons from your yard, including poisonous plants, pesticides and pool chemicals.
• Walk all the way around a parked vehicle to check for children before entering a car and starting the motor.  Don’t let children play in driveways, streets, parking lots or unfenced yards adjacent to busy streets.
• Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher to your child’s exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply frequently.
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. A child who seems tired or achy should rest in the shade or go inside for a while. Get immediate medical help any time a child’s skin is hot to the touch (with or without perspiration), if a child has a seizure, or if they become disoriented in hot weather.

Following these simple tips will keep your kids away from danger this summer, which means more time for fun for the entire family!

by:  Kristin Wedding, Safe Kids Coordinator

Request an appointment with a MUSC provider.