World Prematurity Day (November 17) is a global movement that seeks to raise awareness of premature birth and the devastating impact it can have on families.
According to Bliss.org, one baby is born premature for every 13 babies born in the UK.
The European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants states that 1 in 10 babies born worldwide are premature.
The socks line has become a worldwide symbol to mark the day - it is comprised of a washing line with 10 pairs of socks. One pair of socks - in the middle - is smaller than all of the others and purple in colour. This is to represent the 1 in 10 worldwide statistic.
The purpose of the day is to invite parents to share their experiences of premature birth so it can feel like a less lonely experience. Individuals and businesses are also invited to join forces with activities, special events and commit to action to help address preterm birth and improve the situation of preterm babies and their families.
Last week, this newspaper interviewed a Northampton mum whose baby was born at just 25 weeks and two days old, weighing a tiny one pound and twelve ounces. Thanks to the help of staff on the Gosset Ward at Northampton General Hospital and the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital in Coventry, her baby's life was saved.
Today, to mark World Prematurity Day, we asked parents of premature babies to share their stories and here they are...
5.
"My eldest was born seven weeks early weighing three pounds and 11 ounces. He is now nearly 10-years-old. We spent three weeks in NICU and then another five weeks in and out of intensive care as he got whooping cough at four weeks old. He is now a bright cheeky, loving, thoughtfull class clown. We are so grateful to all the NHS staff for saving and keeping our little man alive. We cant thank you enough." - Taylor Rawlings
6.
"My baby, Amaya, was born at 29 weeks exactly weighing two pounds and 13 ounces. She’s 22 months now and is such a happy, cheeky, loving little girl. She spent seven and a half weeks in NICU. We’re very fortunate as she had a smooth journey and has had no ongoing health issues. We couldn’t thank the staff at NGH any more for the care we all received during her time there." - Charn Madden
7.
"My gorgeous boy, Ethan, was born April 24, 2017 at 26 weeks weighing two pounds and three ounces then his weight dropped to two pounds. He spent five weeks in the NICU, the staff were brilliant the whole time we was there. Ethan is now four years old and typical young boy." - Natalie Sears
8.
"My daughter was born at 32 weeks by emergency c-section just under 15 years ago and spent the first three weeks of her life in SCBU. This last weekend, she led the Northampton Remembrance parade as lead drummer." - Katie Niven