Preterm births and extremely low birth weight are relevant problems that significantly affect the quality of life of families and even communities. The primary short-term impact is the emotional burden, including the feeling of helplessness and isolation among mothers (Lakshmanan et al., 2017). Moreover, depending on the severity of the infant’s condition, the family might need to invest significant funding to save the child’s life. These expenses accumulate over time due to the possible need for ongoing care, leading to notable socioeconomic implications. From these considerations, preterm births and extremely low birth weight might lead to substantial long-term emotional and financial problems.
Consequently, the family’s background affects the possibility of preterm births (PTB) since sociopolitical stressors hurt pregnancy. For instance, Krieger et al. (2018) found that immigrant families experienced additional risks of PTB during the 2016 presidential campaign due to the rise of anti-immigrant movements. These findings reveal that cultural and ethnic factors are vital determinants of mothers’ well-being and how successfully they can carry a pregnancy.
Based on the analysis, it is evident that families that experience this problem require additional help from close people and communities. In the United States, March of Dimes is one of the most notable non-profit organizations that help families with preterm births and extremely low births across the country (“Who we are,” 2022). It operates on the national and local levels, providing online education to parents and presenting valuable assistance for families in neighborhood communities. March of Dimes particularly emphasizes the role of the community in this process and offers its services, such as emotional aid, educational programs, and financial grants, in all fifty states.
References
Krieger, N., Huynh, M., Li, W., Waterman, P. D., & Van Wye, G. (2018). Severe sociopolitical stressors and preterm births in New York City: 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2017. J Epidemiol Community Health, 72(12), 1147-1152.
Lakshmanan, A., Agni, M., Lieu, T., Fleegler, E., Kipke, M., Friedlich, P. S.,… & Belfort, M. B. (2017). The impact of preterm birth< 37 weeks on parents and families: a cross-sectional study in the 2 years after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 15(1), 1-13.
Who we are. (2022). March of Dimes.