WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., MAY 10, 2007 – It's Mother's Day but thousands of mothers can't even hold their babies.

That's because their newborns are fighting for their lives in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country. These babies have tubes and monitors that get in the way of hugs and kisses.

This is not how these mothers envisioned Mother's Day.

“Unfortunately, this is the Mother's Day experience – stressful and worrisome – for the half million mothers who gave birth to a premature baby,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Not only must these moms depend on others to take care of their babies, they need comfort and support themselves.”

But moms with a baby in the NICU are making Mothers Day a little bit easier for each other by connecting online through the March of Dimes “Share Your Story” Web site, www.shareyourstory.org,  where they meet to learn and care for each other through hard times, and celebrate their babies' milestones. 

 One in 8 births in the United States today is premature (prior to 37 completed weeks gestation).  Prematurity increased more than 30 percent since 1983, and is the leading cause of newborn death.  Babies who survive spend nearly ten times as long in a hospital compared to full term babies, and face risks of lifelong health challenges and developmental problems.

Through programs such as its NICU Family Support© Program, the March of Dimes is working to prevent these heart-wrenching scenes.

The March of Dimes has pledged to open a NICU Family Support© program in every state by the end of 2007.  Currently, the program operates in 45 hospitals in 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

 While babies get expert medical care, mothers and family members can get help from March of Dimes staff and volunteers during an experience that's described as An emotional rollercoaster ride.

The NICU Family Support© program provides information and comfort to families with sick or premature babies in the hospital, during the transition home, and in the event of a newborn death. It also promotes a family-centered philosophy in NICUs.

National sponsors of NICU Family Support are MedImmune, Children's Medical Ventures, Farmers Insurance, and Scholastic. Additional national support is provided by L. P. Dey and Pediatrix Medical Group.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.