When I took the stage, my voice quivered with emotion, soon overtaken by a surge of determination. It was 2022, and I was speaking at a community rally in Washington, D.C., sharing the heartbreaking story of my son, Lucas James, who was stillborn in 2018 at 31 weeks gestation. Standing before a crowd of healthcare professionals and other bereaved parents, I passionately called for improved stillbirth prevention and education regarding risks. I found myself shouting that one in 170 babies is stillborn each year. “That one was my son!” I exclaimed, my heart aching.
In the United States, approximately 21,000 pregnancies end in stillbirth annually, with evidence suggesting that better education, fetal monitoring, and prenatal care could prevent at least one in four of these tragedies, according to the National Institutes of Health. This realization ignited my commitment to advocate for change in maternal healthcare.
In response to my loss, I co-founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to minimizing stillbirths and improving awareness around the issue. My mission is to ensure that no parent has to experience the pain of losing a child due to preventable circumstances. We work towards providing valuable resources and support to expectant parents, emphasizing the importance of education and vigilance during pregnancy.
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To Summarize: My journey from loss to advocacy has been transformative. By sharing my story and pushing for change in maternal healthcare, I aim to raise awareness about stillbirth and contribute to a future where fewer families endure such heartache. Together, we can promote education and support, ensuring that every pregnancy is cherished and protected.