Premature Babies..

My Spud was born 7 weeks early, 7 weeks to soon, 7 weeks he had left to grow and develop properly. I went into labour with Spud at 3:05am in the morning, I just thought I needed the toilet when I woke up from my sleep, I had 7 weeks left to go, my little baby nesting perfectly safe inside my belly had not even come into my head whilst having mild belly pains. I decided to try and go back to bed, to no avail, I arrived at the hospital at 6:20am and Spud was born 7 weeks premature 3 hours later weighing a tiny 4lb. 

Spud needed an emergency operation at 3 weeks old, when he weighed roughly 4lbs 5oz, Spud has eye problems and is under hospital care for other medical reasons too. I believe this is all down to him being premature, I believe if Spud wasn't born 7 weeks premature, he wouldn't of needed an emergency operation, I believe he would not have the problems that he does have.

Spud around 5 weeks old.

My premature baby soon grew into the toddler who was premature and then the child who was premature, you cant tell Spud was premature any more, he's caught up with his height and is actually above average with his height for his age, and thankfully he's caught up with his weight too! Spud like other children his age catches the regular bugs and colds, however during school seasons, Spud is ill a lot more frequently than other children his age. I believe this is due to a weaker immune system, an immune system that was cut 7 weeks short of developing. I am not the only parent of a premature child who believes this, so many premature babies and children, get ill more frequently than others, and can find the bug/illness harder to fight off!

Medical research for children is a neglected area and Action Medical Research relies entirely on public support. With increased public awareness and support, they will be able to fund even more life-changing research for some of the UK's sickest babies and children. As well as the good work the organization continues by funding the search for answers to prevent childhood diseases and illness associated with premature birth.

One of the many ways we can help as the public is to get involved with one of their events, I particularly like the idea of the Bring Your Bear event. Up and down the country thousands of schools and nurseries will choose a day when the children bring their teddy bear to a party. Every child brings in two pounds with their bear, as a simple and fun way to support vital research to help babies and children. 

Paddington Bear is the official mascot of Action Medical Research and they are his favourite charity! You can find some great Paddington Bear activities as well as the Bring Your Bear tool kit over on the AMR site. To register to have your very own Bring Your Bear fundraising event to help the lives of some of the UK's sickest babies and children, you can sign up online.

Action Medical Research invests around 3 million every year by funding the very best medical research in hospitals and universities across the UK that is most likely to deliver real benefits to babies, children and young people. With growing recognition and support they will be able to fund even more life-changing research for some of the UK's sickest  babies and children.

There are many other great ways that you can get involved in, Whatever a persons ambition, sporting ability, or location, Action Medical Research offers incredible events with excellent support, providing the opportunity for all who wish to participate. Every event helps fund medical research to treat sick babies and tackle premature birth, to make life better for children with disabilities and to target a group of rare diseases that together severely affect many forgotten children. Events throughout the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland include Cycling, Running, Trekking, Open Challenges, Overnight PLOD Walks, Team Challenges, Bring Your Bear, Walk for Tiny Lives, Social Events and Fairs. To find out more about different types of events in specific areas, see http://www.action.org.uk

Until next time,

Jada x