WUNRN
USA-Stillbirths Now Outnumber Deaths Among Infants-Study
By CATHERINE
SAINT LOUIS - JULY 23, 2015
For the first time, stillbirths have slightly outnumbered deaths among
infants before their first birthdays, a new report has found, ending a long
period in which infant deaths were higher.
- has declined nationwide by 11 percent since
2006, but the mortality rate for fetuses in the second half of pregnancy has stalled, according to a report
issued on Thursday by the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lately, “we’ve made very little progress in reducing stillbirth in the
U.S.,” said Dr. Robert L. Goldenberg, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology
at Columbia University.
C.D.C. researchers found that 23,595 stillbirths occurred in 2013, compared
with 23,446 infant deaths. Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Puerto Rico
and Guam had the highest rates of stillbirth, the report said.
Although a trend reversal, the difference was very small, noted Elizabeth
Gregory, a health scientist at the National Center for Health Statistics and an
author of the report. “There was less than 1 percent more fetal deaths,” she
said.
Until relatively recently, public concern focused more on infant mortality than on stillbirth, partly
because less was known about the incidence of stillbirth and how to prevent it,
Mrs. Gregory and her colleague wrote.
Dr. Goldenberg, who was not involved in the new report, suggested that it
nonetheless “should get people to focus” and redouble efforts to understand the
causes of stillbirth and how to prevent it.
Some cases of fetal death after 20 weeks can be
attributed to genetic abnormalities, obstetric complications, infection or
issues with the placenta or umbilical cord. But often enough, no cause is
found.
Racial disparities in stillbirth also remain a stubborn mystery. In 2013,
non-Hispanic black women were twice as likely as non-Hispanic white women or
Asian women to have a stillborn baby. Among black women, 10 fetal deaths
occurred late in pregnancy per 1,000 live births, compared with
4.9 per 1,000 among white women and 4.7 among Asian women in 2013.
A 2006 study found that even when black women get access to early prenatal
care, the racial disparity
persists.
Pregnancy after age 35 appears to be an independent risk factor for
stillbirth, even after accounting for the fact that risks like hypertension or diabetes are more common in older women, the
authors wrote.
Still, pregnant teenagers under 15 were at highest risk for stillbirth, the
researchers found. Mrs. Gregory suggested that having fewer socioeconomic
advantages and biological immaturity might be contributing factors.
Male fetuses are at slightly higher risk of stillbirth than females over
all, the report found, confirming previous studies.
Not all fetal deaths are reported as required by states, which may have hindered progress in lowering rates of stillbirth, Dr. Goldenberg said. If it were clear that a particular region had a high rate of stillbirths, that would probably “push the medical establishment and public health officials in that area to do something,” he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/health/stillbirth-reader-stories.html
Stillbirth: Personal Stories
June 26, 2015
Few families are prepared when a baby dies prior to
delivery. Here, parents who have navigated this difficult experience shared
their insights.
Dr. Eleni Michailidis gave birth to a stillborn son. Read her story »
Jennifer
Stillbirth on Nov. 16, 2009
My son is Abraham Amuhaya Imbula. He was born Nov. 16, 2009. The silence at
his delivery penetrates my being. I remember his pregnancy, delivery, and the
time we spent with him so vividly. I can still smell his scent. Our family
valued our time with him. When my 2-year-old daughter, Gabriella, met Abraham,
she said he is sick and needs a doctor and ran out to get a doctor. We held him
and kissed him. We took photos. I trust his life was for a purpose. His
memorial service was beautiful, with so many friends and family. Gabriella,
his…
I don’t think you can prepare for a stillbirth - to
prepare would be to give up hope, to imagine the worst.
Megan Scott
Stillbirth on May 25, 2010
Ever since losing my daughter when I was just 24 weeks pregnant, I've
dreamed of becoming a superhero. When I read or hear about another family
that's experienced a stillbirth, I want to don a disguise and fly to the
mother’s side. I want to guard her front door, answer her phone, manage her
Facebook account, intercept her text messages, anything that can shield her
from the well-meaning, yet often thoughtless behavior of people.
Embrace the new, changed you and let go of any
expectation of getting over it.
Aisha Oravec
Stillbirth on July 11, 2011
There is so much shame that comes in the moment of delivering a dead or
dying baby. We feel like we should get the goodbye over too fast. Don't. We
have so many hormones and feelings that want us to care for our newborn but you
only get one chance - bathe, diaper, dress the baby, take pictures. Weigh and
measure and footprint the baby. Talk to the baby and explore his body. Take
lots of photos because you will want to remember the baby. You will need proof
that he was really there when you are alone…
Akeem Marsh
Stillbirth on Nov. 2, 2014
Welcome to the "exclusive club" that NOBODY wants to be a part
of. Words cannot begin to describe the overall emotional, physical, and
psychological intensity of the experience. It is a very painful, traumatic
experience. If this happens to you, there are some things you can do to help
ease the pain while honoring your loved one. Make sure that you spend time with
the baby, holding the baby and take pictures. You can have professional photos
taken free of charge by the organization Now I Lay
Me Down to Sleep. This is something that will help keep your…
American society tells us we must be strong and that
showing emotion is a sign of weakness. But that is wrong.
Christopher Benedetto
Stillbirth on Aug. 20, 2009
Take as much times as you need to embrace the grief and begin healing your
body and soul. There is no time table for this, because enduring grief is
different for each individual, and each couple. But there is no point trying to
deny your pain or run from it because the grief will follow you and come like a
thief in the night. It's been nearly six years since we lost our son and it
took us almost two years of grieving to be ready to have another child. Since
then, we've had two beautiful boys born to us.
It will take you a long time to not feel evil and sketchy
around other pregnant women. Don't force that, it will come easier when it
truly matters.
Rebecca Rood
Stillbirth on April 15, 2005
There is no right or wrong way to experience a stillbirth. When I was faced
with the heinous news of a placental abruption and fetal demise due to
preeclampsia in Week 30, the first words out of my mouth were 'pump me full of
as many drugs as possible.' I commend all of those who still salvaged a birth
experience and could see the beauty in the actual process. That was not me and
I do not regret it. The pain and the joy still found me. Even doped up
delivering in the ICU, I still felt the oxytocin rush…
Credit Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
Anica Martinez
Stillbirth on Nov. 19, 2013
We were 26 weeks into our first pregnancy with our sweet little girl,
Brooklyn Skye, when our world made a change in a direction no one expected. Her
movement decreased but being that it was my first pregnancy and still fairly
early I was challenged with what my heart was telling me. The biggest heart
break of a lifetime came when the nurse grabbed my foot when the ultrasound at
the hospital showed no heart beat. Brooklyn was born still Nov. 19, 2013. No
words can explain the pain that your heart and soul experience when you lose
your…
Kailea Kjorlaug
Stillbirth on Jan. 30, 2015
My husband and I lost our daughter. After the first trimester you think you
are in the clear. You won't lose your baby. I now know that is not true. I was
35 weeks pregnant when we found out my daughter didn't have a heart beat. My
world and my life have never been the same after her birth. I know one in four
pregnancies ends in either a miscarriage or a stillbirth. There are 26,000
families that experience stillbirth every year. I want to tell these families
that they are not alone. The worst thing you could possible do…
Yes, it was weird. But I remember the relief everyone
felt at being able to share that weird experience together.
Mark Werley
Stillbirth on April 1, 1994
I too remember the panicked look on the ultrasound technician's face and
then the radiologist turning to face us with the news. Crying at home. Sharing
news with family and friends (the first call was to our pastor who was
remarkable - so helpful and understanding). Preparing for birth and delivery.
Kind, kind, kind nurses who encouraged us to hold our daughter and spend time
with her. Giving her a name - Hope. Then deciding to have her body cremated,
hold a small memorial service to share our pain and with friends and family -
rather than hide it away…
Genevieve Gillette
Stillbirth on Feb. 17, 2014
We learned that our son Simon's heart stopped beating on Feb. 16, 2014 -- he was born Feb. 17, 2014 just one week shy of his due date. 6 pounds, 12 ounces, 20 1/4 inches, with beautiful wavy brown hair.