THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY LEACH, TARTAGLIONE, FONTANA, ERICKSON, DINNIMAN, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, BROWNE, GREENLEAF, KITCHEN, EARLL, HUGHES, YUDICHAK, FARNESE, PILEGGI, PIPPY AND COSTA, APRIL 2, 2012

INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 2, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the month of April 2012 as "Multiple Birth Awareness

Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs,

Inc., TWINS Magazine and the Fetal Hope Foundation have joined

with local organizations to establish and celebrate April as

National Multiple Birth Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The number of live births in twin deliveries rose 2%

between 2008 and 2009 to approximately 137,217 births, and in

2009, there were also 5,905 triplets, 355 quadruplets and 80

higher-order multiples born nationwide; and

WHEREAS, With the increase in multiple births, there is an

increased risk for the mothers and babies; and

WHEREAS, Nationally, one out of every eight twins and one of

every three triplets are born very preterm, compared with fewer

than two of every 100 single births, and death during infancy is

four times more common for twins than singletons; and

WHEREAS, This month will be used to spread awareness about

the issues that families of multiple births face, including what

to know when expecting multiples, such as twin-to-twin

transfusion syndrome and other fetal issues directly affecting

multiple-birth pregnancies, premature births and low-birth

weights, multiples with special needs, the exceptional physical

and bonding demands placed on parents and the separation of

multiples in classrooms; and

WHEREAS, There are many local support groups for parents of

multiples and many of these clubs are planning events throughout

their communities during this month to celebrate their families,

increase participation and help out other families in need; and

WHEREAS, By raising awareness of multiple births, this month

also encourages parents of multiples, or who are expecting

multiples, to seek out the resources and support found with

local Mothers of Twins Clubs, through their prenatal care

provider, pediatrician, local hospital or friends and family;

and

WHEREAS, These clubs are established to serve parents or

guardians of multiple-birth children through education, research

and fellowship; and

WHEREAS, The Senate joins with the many parents of multiples

to celebrate the joys and challenges they face in raising their

twins, triplets or higher-order multiples and supports efforts

to educate our communities on the needs and challenges of

multiple-birth children; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize and celebrate the month

of April 2012 as "Multiple Birth Awareness Month" in

Pennsylvania.