March of Dimes

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

 

The March of Dimes imagines a day when no baby in this country is born so small it has to fight for its life. The March of Dimes funds programs of research, community service, education, and advocacy to save babies from birth defects and prematurity.

 

Contact Information

March of Dimes, Minnesota Chapter
5233 Edina Industrial Boulevard
Edina, MN 55439

Telephone 952-835-3033
Fax 952-835-8661
Email: rgustafson@marchofdimes.com
Web site: www.marchofdimes.com


About Prematurity/Birth Defects 

Preterm refers to births occurring before the 37th week of pregnancy. A full term pregnancy is 40 weeks.

 

A birth defect is an abnormality of structure, function, or metabolism (body chemistry) present at birth that results in physical or mental disability, or is fatal.

 

Facts and Figures

  • The parents of one out of every 28 babies receive the frightening news that their baby has a birth defect.
  • Premature birth is the number one cause of infant death in the first month of life.
  • In an average week in Minnesota, 128 babies are born preterm.
  • Nationally, more than 460,000 babies are born preterm each year.
  • Between 1990 and 2000, the rate of infants born preterm in Minnesota increased more than 17 percent.
  • The rate of preterm birth in Minnesota is highest for African Americans (12.7 percent), followed by Native Americans (10.4 percent), Asians (9.9 percent), and whites (9.1 percent).
  • Half of all premature births happen for unknown reasons.

Resources for Individuals and Caretakers

The March of Dimes, Minnesota Chapter offers a wide variety of resources for persons affected Prematurity/Birth Defects and their caretakers. Those resources include: 

 

Employee/Individuals Resources

  • Educational materials about healthy pregnancy including: fact sheets on folic acid, fitness during pregnancy, and prenatal screenings; information about birth defects; healthy baby; safety proofing your home; and new arrival information.
  • Resource center provides accurate and timely information and referral services to the public - staff helps callers on a one-on-one basis to address problems relating to pregnancy and birth defects. (1-888-MODIMES: Staffed by trained professionals from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern.)
  • Online resource center provides accurate and timely information and referral services to the public. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Staffed by trained professionals from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) 
  • Community baby shower: Mothers-to-be and their families come together to share information about pregnancy health, newborn care, and signs of premature labor.
  • Bereavement kits for parents who have lost a child.
  • MAMA magazine to educate mothers-to-be.


 

Caregiver Resources

  • Online resource center provides accurate and timely information and referral services to the public. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Staffed by trained professionals from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) 
  • Community baby shower: Mothers-to-be and their families come together to share information about pregnancy health, newborn care, and signs of premature labor.

Resources for Employers and Communities 

The March of Dimes, Minnesota Chapter offers the following resources for employers and the community at large:

 

 

  • Information on the highcost of preterm birth.
  • Presentations on signs of pre-term labor, prematurity, racial, and ethnic disparities, the benefit of folic acid, etc.
  • Educational materials about healthy pregnancy including: fact sheets on folic acid, fitness during pregnancy, and prenatal screenings; information about birth defects; healthy baby; safety proofing your home; and new arrival information.
  • Prematurity summit for healthcare professionals.

 

Community Resources

  • March of Dimes Online Resource Center provides accurate and timely information and referral services to the public. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Staffed by trained professionals from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)