Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.  I have had 4 miscarriages. Well, actually 2 miscarriages and 2 ectopic pregnancies. The point is I have 4 angels in heaven. I have not had a stillbirth. I think about it. I fear it. I can't even imagine it! I have a friend who had one last year and it was devastating! One day the baby was fine and then the a week later she was delivering a baby that was still.  There just are NO WORDS to say about the pain that it inflicts. My pain was and is the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life. The pain of still birth is unimaginable!! We need to create awareness. It is something that is not talked about. People need to know the signs, symptoms, proper medical care, and fetal movement awareness. For more information please readhttp://www.firstcandle.org/advocacy/Summary052108.pdf  Or http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.5979:.

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. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

You may be asking what can you do? You can post a blog in support of this ACT or you can write your congress men and women. You can tell them to pass this Act: H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. Tell them you do not want any more people, families, communities to go through this. Stop the pain. Mend some hearts. You can contact them by visiting this website: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

If there is something that can help reduce the chances of still birth then we should jump at it.  If research would make it possible for even just 1  person to be able to come home with a LIVE baby instead of the remains then it should not even be a questions of if, but of when and how. Please help save a life. 


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