I never imagined my pregnancy would end in stillbirth. Now, I’m on a mission to drive improvements in maternal healthcare.
When I stepped up to the microphone, my voice quivered at first, but then my emotions took over. It was 2022, and I was at a community rally in Washington, D.C., sharing the heartbreaking story of my son, Liam. He was stillborn in 2016, when I was 30 weeks along. I stood before hundreds of healthcare professionals and fellow grieving parents, demanding enhanced stillbirth prevention and education about risks. I was taken aback by my own intensity as I exclaimed that 1 in 170 babies are stillborn each year. “That one was my son,” I wept.
In the United States, about 21,000 pregnancies each year end in stillbirth, and research suggests that at least one in four of these losses could potentially be averted through improved education, fetal monitoring, and prenatal care. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed.
I co-founded the nonprofit organization PUSH, which aims to minimize stillbirth occurrences as much as possible. Many families are unaware of the risks and the preventive measures they can take. If you’re interested in learning more about this subject, check out this insightful resource on pregnancy and home insemination. Additionally, for practical tips on affordable at-home insemination, explore this article.
It’s time to raise awareness and push for the changes necessary to protect future generations.
Summary
This article discusses the personal experience of a mother who lost her son to stillbirth and her subsequent advocacy for better maternal healthcare. Each year, many pregnancies end in stillbirth, and the author emphasizes the need for improved education and prevention strategies. Through her nonprofit work, she aims to make a difference and encourages others to learn more about the risks involved.