Patiently Purple

On Friday, the halls, offices and people of TTUHSC may be transformed to purple. No, the school is not changing its colors. However, for one day of the year, the entire nation will don purple to raise awareness for premature birth and remind expectant mothers “healthy babies are worth the wait.”

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month and the month-long push for early and regular prenatal care and full-term pregnancy will culminate in Lubbock on Friday, Nov. 14, in purple. March of Dimes encourages participants to “turn your community purple” by decorating buildings, offices and cars, and donning purple. Participants may also share photos related to the event on Twitter by using hashtag, #TXpreemies. Other “Go Purple for Preemies” days will continue throughout the month in various cities across the country.

March of Dimes and the Stork’s Nest program endorse the event. The Stork’s Nest is a collaborative program offered by the March of Dimes, the Zeta Phi Beta sorority and the TTUHSC School of Nursing Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center. The education provided through the Stork’s Nest program is coordinated with incentives to encourage expectant and new moms to engage with opportunities to learn and attend necessary prenatal visits.

“What is so heartbreaking about premature birth is that although four in ten causes for prematurity are unknown, 60 percent of pregnant women can prevent a premature birth,” said Sandra Eastling, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC and the nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at the Larry Combest Community Health and Wellness Center. “Education is key.”

Mothers participating in the Stork’s Nest program earn points for many proactive steps, including attending prenatal doctor visits, completing Stork’s Nest classes, connecting with available financial resources and receiving lactation training. These points then may be redeemed for baby essentials, like diapers, wipes, clothes and car seats. For health care experts like Eastling, the Stork’s Nest program is an opportunity to engage with new moms and give them encouragement and resources so that their babies can have the best possible outcome.

“Pregnancy is such a special stage in a woman’s life,” Eastling said. “I have seen the strength of women, along with their family support, overcome obstacles and celebrate in the joy of birth.”

This opportunity may not only educate mothers about the dangers associated with prematurity, but actually minimize the risk of it occurring.

“Studies have shown that a person who actively participates in their own health care has better outcomes,” said Eastling. “Educating one’s self about your body, especially during pregnancy, is an empowering act.”

According to the March of Dimes, while premature birth rates rose significantly between 1981 and 2006, prematurity has declined 11 percent in the last seven years. Like many in her field, Eastling celebrates this victory and attributes much of it to education.

“Some mothers have had the misconception that it is okay to have an induction of labor at 37 weeks, (but) sometimes a woman’s due date can be off as much as two to three weeks. This means that the baby is actually only 35 weeks old,” Eastling said. “It is a relief to know that practitioners are moving away from that train of thought. Most will not schedule an elective induction of labor before 39 weeks now.”

While prematurity is on the decline, 15 million babies are born too soon each year. Improving the quality of life for newborns and decreasing prematurity requires a widespread, coordinated effort like the one underway during November by the March of Dimes. And health care providers like Eastling have plenty of suggestions for how you can become involved.

“Recognize that premature birth is a problem that is increasing worldwide and join national efforts like ‘Go Purple for Preemies,’” Eastling suggested. “If you have had a premature birth, share your story or give support to someone who has experienced a premature birth.”

With fifteen years specializing in prenatal health care and as a mom of seven, Eastling knows that expectant mothers are receptive to the current guidelines for full-term pregnancy.

“I know that expectant mothers only want to do what is best for their unborn baby,” Eastling said. “I feel that it is my calling to guide them and hold their hand throughout this journey.”