Preterm birth rates up in the U.S.

The United States preterm birth rate has increased for the third consecutive year.

North Dakota's birth rate is 8.8 percent, according to March of Dimes, and Williams, Grand Forks, Cass and Burleigh County have all seen an increase in premature births.

For Prematurity Awareness Month, Daniela Hurtado spoke to a family who never thought this would happen to them.

Crystal and Tyson Schneider had a baby boy before this birth. They say their first was a textbook pregnancy.

Crystal works at the birth center at Sanford Hospital, so she's no stranger to unexpected things like this.

The Schneider family shares their roller coaster story about their second baby, Bryar.

Baby Bryar was born on Oct. 2. He weighed just 3 pounds 1 ounce.

"We didn't know if he would make it, you know, after that delivery. But when he took that breath, we knew that he was there to stay," said Tyson.

Crystal was admitted to the hospital six-weeks prior to their delivery, when her water broke at 27 weeks.

"When my water did break this time I was a little bit, maybe in denial. And then once reality set in it was kind of a shock because you just never put yourself in a position like that," said Crystal.

Crystal says she's not sure why her water broke early. She does say she had early complications during her pregnancy and bleeding that could have has something to do with it.

"Just trying to keep a positive attitude, you know, that stuff is going to get better. There's always hope," said Tyson.

Hope, they're grateful for this holiday season because they'll be able to spend Thanksgiving out of the hospital.

The Schneider's were discharged Tuesday from the NICU at Sanford.

Crystal says she's looking forward to having both of her boys home and starting their new normal.