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Children are born every second of every day and every night, which should of course surprise no one. But did you know that last year in Virginia, 9.5 percent were born prematurely? That’s according to www.marchofdimes.org, which is dedicated to reducing the rate of both preterm infants and those born with birth defects. The organization gave the state a C in its 2018 report card. Incidentally, Vermont was the only one to get an A with 7.5 percent in 2017.

For this reason and others related to its cause, the organization has designated November as Prematurity Awareness Month, and World Prematurity Day is today, Nov. 17.

We urge all women about to become mothers — whether for the first time or the third — to get facts and advice that can better ensure their babies will be fully developed and healthy at birth.

To learn more, visit either March of Dimes or zphib1920.org.