2013 Greenville March of Dimes Chef's Auction Raises an amazing $210,777

Hello Friends, the 2013 Greenville March of Dimes Signature Chef's Event on Sunday, November 10th was a huge success.  The final numbers are in... We busted through the goal of $175,000 and raised an amazing $210,777 for the babies! WOW!!! The Chefs went above and beyond. As a mother of a premature baby, I want to thank the sponsor and volunteers for making this the best event ever!  Check back soon, I'll be posting pictures of the event.

IT's CELEBRATION TIME for the 75th ANNIVERSARY of the March of Dimes Signatures Chef's Event

SHOWTIME...This weekend we are putting on the final touches to make this year's March of Dimes Signatures Chef's Gala in Greenville, South Carolina the BEST ever because all those sweet little angles born too soon deserve it!

It's the 75th Anniversary, so it's time to celebrate! As a mom of a premature baby, it's time to come together and celebrate the work the March of Dimes and to thank all the supporters who make these events possible.  Hopefully the event on Sunday evening will be our best event ever.

Not only will we raise our glasses but we will raise money so the March of Dimes can continue to do promote awareness about premature births and continue their research that saves the lives of our little unborn babies.

I'll be there with bells on and I can't wait to tell you how it goes.

The highly sensitive uterus

I was driving home today after dropping my son off at school and thinking of all the people who have asked me what caused me to have a premature birth.  I laughed, as I thought to myself,  I was told the reason for Joseph's premature birth was because I had a extremely sensitive uterus.  This makes me laugh to the point of almost pissing myself because recently I was sitting in front of a dear friend who was giving me advise and recommended that I read the book "The highly sensitive person".  Well, I suppose if I'm a highly sensitive person, it goes without saying that I would have a highly sensitive uterus. You just have to laugh...

The book I'm working on is different because it's not just about the painful experience of having a premature baby. It's not a guide or reference book.  Although it includes what it's like to have a baby in the NICU, the painful emotions experienced when your baby doesn't come home with you and how to care for your premature baby at home; it's so much more.

This book includes some romance..., love stories that my husband and I shared before having our son.

It includes a little bit of laughter because women will relate to the situations, first time moms are faced with; all those little things that no one tells you about..., not your mother, your sister or even your best friend.

My hope is that my readers will keep turning the pages because they will connect with me... on this universal truth...Although we plan and prepare for the life we want to live, sometimes experiences in life can change who we are forever.  Be willing to open your mind, learn more about your self and see that life is full of possibilities.

As I continue to write my book, I will keep you up to date on it's progress.  Meanwhile, I would love to hear from you.

JOSEPH STORTI - MIRACLE BABY "THROUGH TRAUMA and TEARS to TRIUMPH"

 I am in the process of writing a book, “Through Trauma and Tears to Triumph”, which is my personal story of having a premature baby. He was born 10 ½ weeks early. He weighed 2 lbs., 13 oz. The perfect life I planned for was very different than the life I was about to live.

There are many books available about having a premature baby. There are guides and reference books that explain how to care for your premature baby.  However, my book is unique.  My book differentiates itself from the rest, because it’s not just about the painful experience of having a premature baby. It’s not a just a guide or reference book.

Statistics on premature births

Each year in the United States, nearly a half a million babies are born prematurely out of the four million babies born each year; that means 1 out of every 8 babies, will be born too soon.  One of those babies may be related to you.  One of those babies was my son. 

Tell me about your story... 

10 Common Causes for Preterm Births

While this list does provide many of the common causes for premature births, it is important to remember that everyone is different and and every pregnancy is different.  Remember that only your doctor can evaluate your own individual situation and determine the correct prognosis for your pregnancy and your baby.

1. Previous Premature Deliveries - One of the most important risks for a premature birth is if you have already had a premature baby.  The probability is that you have between a 20% and 40% chance of having another premature delivery.
2. Previous Second Trimester Abortion - Women who have had an abortion in their 2nd trimester have a higher risk for preterm births because the surgical procedure requires a wide dilation of the cervix, which can damage the cervix and lead to cervical incompetence.  Having one 1st trimester abortion doesn't increase your risk; however, having several 1st trimester abortions may increase your risk.
3. Pregnancies within 6 months of each other - Becoming pregnant less than six months after a previous delivery may cause a premature birth because your body may not have had enough time to fully recover.
4. Malformations of the Uterus - Having problems with your uterus, such as fibroids or a uterus with an abnormal shape.
5. Cervical incompetence  - A woman's cervix can open too early in the pregnancy, which may cause a premature delivery.  There is a simple surgical procedure called a cerclage, which can be done during your pregnancy.  This can help keep the cervix closed until the baby is full term.
6. Multiple Gestation - Twins have a 25% to 50% chance of being born before term, and that rate rises with each additional fetus.
7. Smoking - Cigarette Smoking reduces blood flow to the placenta and oxygen to the fetus, which causes poor fetal growth, preterm rupture of membranes and premature births.
8. Low maternal weight  - Women who weigh less than 100 pounds at the beginning of their pregnancy or who do not gain enough weight during their pregnancy have an increased risk of having a premature baby.
9. Little or no Prenatal Care - Women who do not receive prenatal care are more likely to deliver prematurely. Prenatal care is important to the health of the mother as well as the baby.
10. High Blood Pressure- This can be an isolated problem; however it can lead to preeclampsia during pregnancy, which often necessitates a premature delivery.