A HOUSE RESOLUTION supporting awareness of a disorder known as Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.
Whereas, a little known condition identified as Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes, or pPROM, affects fewer than 3% of pregnant women; and
Whereas, pPROM occurs when the membrane sac which holds the baby and the amniotic fluid breaks before the onset of labor and prior to 37 weeks of gestation; and
Whereas, the chances for survival when pPROM occurs are greater for babies born closer to maturity; and
Whereas, once the membrane ruptures, a woman typically delivers her baby within one week; and
Whereas, pPROM often occurs in pregnancies with no known risk factors, with no apparent cause, and often leads to the death of the newborn; and
Whereas, in cases where women are being treated for pPROM, parents may have to make the difficult decision of whether to have the mother take medication to postpone delivery of the baby, deliver the baby prematurely resulting in possible risks to the baby, or, in some cases, terminate the pregnancy; and
Whereas, a baby's life is precious, and parents deserve to have accurate information when faced with these difficult decisions regarding their babies; and
Whereas, many parents in North Carolina have been affected by pPROM, including Caroline and Stephen Combs of Wilson, who lost their son, Conner, in 2012; and
Whereas, it is important that individuals, agencies, and organizations join together in promoting awareness of pPROM in working to prevent and diagnose the condition through increased research and to help decrease occurrences and save lives; and
Whereas, in 2012, Governor Beverly Perdue issued a proclamation recognizing June 1‑2 as pPROM Awareness Day; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives extends its sympathy to the parents who have lost newborns as a result of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (pPROM). The House of Representatives further joins those affected by pPROM in observing June 1‑2, 2013, as pPROM Awareness Day.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.