Dear journalists, here is a list of resources in advance of the press conference on 9 May 2023, Tuesday at 14:00 CEST.
All materials in this document are embargoed from publication until 00-01 HRS CEST, 10 May 2023
152 million babies born preterm in the last decade ⤵️
152 millions de bébés nés prématurément au cours de la dernière décennie ⤵️
Country snapshots
In additional to the new data provided in this report (WHO and UNICEF preterm birth estimates), Born Too Soon highlights inspiring examples of progress from the past decade. Some countries need to triple their rates of decline of neonatal and maternal mortality to meet the SDGs, but they can be inspired by other countries that have succeeded in doing so.
Below are some of the ‘country snapshots’ from the report that highlight country progress in certain areas that have an impact on preterm birth.
Country snapshot list:
- Has COVID-19 affected preterm birth rates?
- Electronic health information system improves availability of preterm birth rate data in Mozambique
- Annual report on state-level preterm birth rates to drive change in the United States
- Maternity leave in Brazil
- Ghana’s quality of care community scorecards
- Whole-of-community approach to caring for preterm babies in Uganda
- The “Green Wave” in Latin America
- Reducing adolescent pregnancy in Chile
- Midwifery-led continuity of care: a promising model for addressing inequalities in the United Kingdom
- Improving uptake of ACS in Cambodia and the Philippines
- Birth with dignity in Uganda: improving bereavement care
- Government-led change: a strong investment case for SSNC in Tanzania
- Overcoming barriers to CPAP implementation at scale in South Africa
- Addressing racial inequities in maternal and newborn health in New Jersey, USA
- Reducing adolescent pregnancy through comprehensive sexuality education in Zambia
- Addressing the nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing mothers in Pakistan through social protection programming
- Addressing the maternal and newborn health needs of indigenous communities in South America
- Intersectoral approach to support breastfeeding in Burkina Faso
#BornTooSoon stories
Meet Jayme from Japan
Jayme was born at 23 weeks weighing only 680 grams, slightly bigger than an adult hand. His birth and the following months were a very difficult and anxious time for his parents, Randal and Yumi, though they felt well supported by the medical team. Despite additional complications at 18 months with a liver tumour, Jayme is now thriving. His father Randal says. "We did not have great hope and were preparing for the worst. He has amazed us. He not only survived but is thriving."
Meet Santiago From Costa Rica
Katherine went into preterm labour in February 2020, and her son, Santiago, was born at 25 weeks. Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic, her husband, Pablo, had limited access to his wife and son during the delivery and after. “I was not allowed to see my son. Only mothers and women could enter the area, no men were allowed in. I felt so powerless.”
Meet Zeek from South Africa
Rochelle’s miracle journey started on 7 September 2022 when her son, Zeek, was born at 29 weeks. “I didn’t even know what premature was.” Rochelle and Zeek stayed at Mowbary Maternity Hospital for almost two months since he was very sick. The healthcare staff helped Rochelle care for Zeek herself, burping, feeding and monitoring him. “I felt so empowered, I felt like a nurse.”
Meet Ainsley from Kenya
When 17-year-old Ashley found out that she was pregnant, she felt “lost.” Ashley left boarding school but could not return to her parents’ rural home as she registered to take the national exams. Ashley was hospitalized following abdominal pains 28 weeks into her pregnancy and gave birth to her baby girl, Ainsley, at 30 weeks. Just six weeks after her baby was born, she sat for her secondary school national exams. Ainsley is now 6 months old and thriving, despite some breathing complications.
Meet Abhishek and Koresh from Nepal
Anita gave birth to Abhishek and Koresh at seven months pregnant; she was worried, having previously had a miscarriage, and feared a repetition of that loss. The twin boys were taken to the NICU at Bharatpur Hospital. "They took good care of me and my babies. They wrapped my babies in clothes, washed and cleaned up all the blood, and put me into bed. I felt very good." Anita was able to provide Kangaroo Mother Care and breastfeed both babies. "Health workers used to come and see me and take care of my babies. They helped when I was not feeling well, and they helped me to produce and feed milk to my babies."
Meet Bojidar from Bulgaria
When Nedka gave birth to baby Bojidar at 24 weeks, he weighed only 790 grams. Since Bojidar was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital only allowed parents to visit once a week for an hour. It would sadly be a month before Nedka and her husband were allowed to touch their baby. “The first time we touched him, he grabbed our finger and it felt so wonderful!” They finally brought Bojidar home after five months in NICU, and described it as “magical!”
Meet Jalen from the USA
Gabriela and Jerome were excited about welcoming their third child to the family. Unfortunately, Gabriela went into preterm labour, and their son, Jalen, was stillborn having died of a common bacteria known as group B streptococcus or GBS. "I held on to hope but never imagined to hear, ‘there is no heartbeat’." This traumatic experience made Gabriela and Jerome realize the lack of resources for families that suffer a pregnancy or infant loss. They started an organization in honour of Jalen to help other affected families.
Meet Estelle from Australia
Rachel was hospitalized 21 weeks into her pregnancy due to major bleeding. Her hospital stay was traumatic. "I was in absolute agony, but nobody took me seriously until I became septic. They were all talking about me, but no one was talking to me." Rachel went into preterm labour at 26 weeks, suffering from sepsis. She was rushed into surgery where she gave birth to Estelle, who was taken to the NICU. Estelle, now seven years old, is happy, healthy and "a ray of sunshine." However, Rachel still suffers from PTSD relating to the experience of Estelle’s birth.
Video testimonials
B-roll footage
Courtesy of UNICEF
You are welcome to use the following broadcast-quality video footage in your packages. Contextual and credit information are available at links.
Birth story from Nepal
The video tells the story of Mother Sabina in a hospital in Dhangadhi, Nepal. Sabina experienced pains in her side which led to her visiting her local health centre where she learnt she was going to give birth early. Sabina gave birth at her local health centre and was then referred to the main hospital because of the early delivery. Sabina's baby was born severely premature at almost 7 months gestation. Sabina was worried about her baby's survival due to his premature birth.
Biographies
- Professor Joy Lawn, BMedSci, MB BS, MPH, PhD, FRCPCH, FMedSci
- Dr Anshu Banerjee
- Gabriela Foster, LMSW. M.Ed.
- Helga Fogstad
- Mercy Juma – Moderator
For more #BornTooSoon
Contact
Cathy Bartley
Bartley Robbs Communications
Mobile: +44 7958 561671
Email: cathy.bartley@bartley-robbs.co.uk
Credits:
Created with images by xreflex - "Close up Mother holding hands Asian female newborn baby and sunlight in the morning. Cute little girl three weeks old. Health, care, love, relationship concept." • Rattanachat - "new born baby hand hold mum index finger. concept : Premature or preterm baby in hospital. relationship between mother and baby."