Saturday, October 13, 2012

Count the Kicks

Did you know that Monday, October 15th is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?  I was just notified and asked to share this with all of you on behalf of Count The Kicks, a public health campaign that is trying to save babies.
 
If you are a parent or parent to be you'll want to read this:
 
COUNT THE KICKS
SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES
October 15th is 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 that of the 4 million births a year in the United States, there are 26,000 stillbirths; meaning one in every 160 births results in a stillborn. These statistics can change significantly with your help!
 
After learning that Norway had dramatically reduced its still birth rates 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, launched a statewide public health campaign in Iowa called Count The Kicks in 2009. The campaign was developed to prevent late-term birth complications and stillbirths and urges parents to contact their health care providers immediately if they notice significant changes in their babies’ movements. Scientific studies indicate kickcounting, a daily record of a baby’s movements (kicks, rolls, punches, 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.
 
To learn more about how you can prevent the loss of more lives, join the Count the Kicks movement and spread kick awareness!

CLICK HERE for more information, videos, and a Count the Kicks downloadable poster.
 
Dear family friends of our just lost a little baby to SIDS this month, so this campaign is really hitting home for me.