Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Jason,
Hopefully by the time you grow up stillbirth and SIDS will be preventable. Until then, Mommy will be posting a mini public service announcement every October...

Hello friends,

It is that time of year again...October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

In that spirit, if you or someone you know is expecting, please encourage them to perform their kick counts after week 28. The easiest way is to choose a convenient time of day and measure how long it takes for your baby to kick (or roll or wiggle or punch) ten times. If the number deviates significantly from your regular numbers, or if it takes longer than 2 hours to count 10 kicks, you need to contact your OB. Do not let them blow you off! With your kick count log you have concrete information to share with your doctor and they should squeeze you in to check things out.

Here is a website with specific kick count instructions: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/kickcounts.htm

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. S. 3142: Preventing Stillbirth and SUID Act has been introduced in the Senate. These proposed bills would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still. If you feel so inclined, let your representatives know that you support both the bills and increased funding for stillbirth research. There is much speculation that SIDS and SADS (another name for unexplained stillbirths, which make up over half of all stillbirths) are related. One in 115 pregnancies end in stillbirth. One in 2,000 babies born will die of SIDS. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could someday learn enough to prevent both tragedies?

Heather

Michael Patrick

Sweetie,

Today is a tough day for Daddy and me. Two years ago your big brother, Michael Patrick, was born silently into the world. We loved him so much, just like we love you! I know all about how he would have been...much different from you, my little buddy. He would have had very thick black hair like your Daddy's. And he would have been quiet, a little bit contemplative about life. He would have been a great big brother to you. Very patient. Daddy and I would sit around when I was pregnant dreaming about his personality, his little nose, his tiny toes, his smile...so even though we didn't get to spend enough time with him, we still know all of these things in our hearts. Does that make any sense?

It is raining today...it reminds me of a song, "Holes in the Floor of Heaven". It is all about the angels crying tears sometimes, which turn into rain. I think Michael is letting us know he misses us through the raindrops. You have to look for signs and miracles every day. They are out there if you keep your eyes open. We are so lucky to have you here, just you and me and Daddy together while the rain falls.