Today is Monday, October 14th. That day really has no meaning to me. But tomorrow does.
Tomorrow is Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Remembrance Day. October 15th.
For those of us who have lost a baby, “October 15th” means many things. It means breaking the silence, remembering our babies, talking about PAIL, the WAVE OF LIGHT, and so many other things.
So this whole week I’m talking about related topics.
Today I’m writing about a campaign called Count the Kicks. I was contacted by this campaign because of my contributions last year to PAIL Remembrance Day, and I gladly committed to posting this message for them. It is a campaign started by five mothers who lost their babies to stillbirth, and they have such an important message. (And it was started in Iowa, the state of my birth!)
I hope you will read and share!
ATTENTION: PARENTS & EXPECTING PARENTS
OCTOBER 15TH IS INTERNATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS REMEMBRANCE DAY
COUNT THE KICKS ACROSS THE NATION AND LEARN HOW TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES!
Tuesday, October 15th, 2013 officially marks International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, a day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or the death of a newborn. The National Institute of Health estimates 26,000 stillbirths out of the 4 million births per year in the United States, meaning one in every 160 births results in a stillborn. These statistics can change dramatically with your help!
After learning that Norway had effectively reduced its stillbirth rates by one-third by conducting a public health campaign on kick counting, five Des Moines-area moms who each lost babies to late-term stillbirth or infant death founded a non-profit organization called Healthy Birth Day with the goal of preventing stillbirths and infant deaths through research, education and advocacy. In 2009, the non-profit launched a statewide public health campaign in Iowa called Count the Kicks to prevent late-term birth complications and stillbirths, urging parents to contact their health care providers immediately if they notice significant changes in their babies’ movements. Scientific studies indicate kick counting (a daily record of a baby’s movements, kicks, rolls, punches, and jabs) during the third trimester is an easy, free and reliable way to monitor a baby’s well-being in addition to regular prenatal visits. This year, the campaign is going nationwide with the help of Count the Kicks Ambassadors, seven women (Shawn Soumilas for Arizona, Kari Davis for Ohio, Meghan Petty for Tennessee, Karina Bennett for New York & California, Stacey Gripshover for Kentucky, Sapphire Garcia-Glancy for Kansas, and Sarah Firianni of Florida) from across the country who will be spreading the word about the importance of tracking fetal movement during the third trimester of pregnancy. These women will be the feet on the street, connecting with healthcare providers and expecting parents in their communities to spread Count the Kicks’ life-saving message, with the ultimate goal of reducing the national stillbirth rate.
Stillbirth and infant death may be a sensitive subject, but spreading awareness WILL help prevent the loss of more lives. To join the movement, start by visiting and liking the Count the Kicks Facebook page.
Here is an important message from the Count the Kicks Ambassadors, Mom to Mom: http://youtu.be/h5Nj9FRTZcQ
About Healthy Birth Day:
Healthy Birth Day is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing stillbirths and infant deaths through education, advocacy and parent support. Founded in 2003 by five Iowa mothers (Kate Safris, Kerry Biondi-Morlan, Sen. Janet Petersen, Tiffan Yamen, Jan Caruthers) who met after each lost a daughter to stillbirth or infant death, Healthy Birth Day has helped with getting Iowa’s Stillbirth Registry law enacted (which has brought more than $2 million into Iowa for stillbirth prevention research), created a local parent-to-parent network to reach out to grieving families immediately following their loss of their babies, and launched the “Count the Kicks” public health campaign to help prevent stillbirths.
Thank you for reading this important message. Please don’t forget that Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother is available for download for FREE until October 17th.
Related articles
thedoseofreality says
October 14, 2013 at 9:38 amThank you for sharing this very important message. You have no doubt helped people who will need this recognition tomorrow. And also helped a great organization. Good for you. Hugs to you tomorrow.-Ashley
Janine Huldie says
October 14, 2013 at 9:54 amWonderful message and thank you Alexa for sharing this here with all of us. Seriously does help to find out more about this very important topic and appreciate all the education I can get on it.
Chris Carter says
October 14, 2013 at 11:30 amThis sounds amazing- I am glad you shared such an important organization for a critical purpose.
Tamara says
October 14, 2013 at 9:02 pmThank you for spreading this message. I remember kick-counting like crazy, with both pregnancies. A friend who had lost a baby at birth told me about the importance. I hope I have spread that message as well.
katbiggie says
October 15, 2013 at 8:13 amIf you’ve shared it with anyone, you are helping! I was obsessed with the kicks too. I remember shoving my belly to “wake them up” if I hadn’t felt movement in awhile. 🙂
another jennifer says
October 14, 2013 at 10:26 pmA woman that was in our childbirth class ended up delivering a stillborn baby. Being a first-time parent, it was shocking to me. She seemed so healthy. Counting kicks is such an easy and important thing to do. We need to encourage more expecting moms to do so.
katbiggie says
October 15, 2013 at 8:12 amOh that is heartbreaking.