Our Commitment

At Healthy Birth Day, Inc. we are striving to get to the point that race is no longer a predictor of stillbirth.

Reaching Those Most at Risk of Losing a Baby to Stillbirth

Black women are two times more likely to experience a stillbirth than White women. We believe this is unacceptable, and we are working to address the disparities that exist and persist in maternal health care. We want to get to the point that race is no longer a predictor of stillbirth.

Here are a few of the ways we are working to address disparities in birth outcomes:

1. Looking at the facts and educating our team and partners on why there are such large disparities and what we can do as an organization to address these disparities
2. Ensuring our entire staff and Board is trained annually in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
3. Centering our work on communities of color and elevating the voices and lived experiences of individuals of color
4. Ensuring our educational materials and resources are culturally competent
5. Training health workers on implicit bias and anti-racism through CE trainings

Who is most at risk of losing a baby to stillbirth? [Source]

• A disproportionate number of babies are born still to African American, Hispanic and Native American women. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) …
  •  a pregnant Black woman has a 1 in 96 chance of losing a baby.
  • a pregnant Indigenous woman has a 1 in 138 chance of losing a baby to stillbirth.
  • a pregnant Hispanic woman has a 1 in 199 chance of losing a baby to stillbirth.
  • a pregnant White woman has a 1 in 204 chance of losing a baby to stillbirth.
  •  a pregnant Asian Pacific Islander woman has a 1 in 233 chance of losing a baby to stillbirth.

What factors contribute to racial disparities in stillbirth?

Research shows that there are a lot of contributing factors to the racial health disparities in stillbirth. Researchers point to the following as causes for the disparities:

• Structural Racism
• Barriers to healthcare
• Socioeconomic barriers
• Toxic stress
• Conditions that disproportionately affect all Women of Color
• Genetic factors
• Research shows education is NOT a determining factor. A college-educated Black woman is still more likely to lose her baby than a high school-educated White woman. [Source]

Help Us Improve Birth Outcomes

We can all be part of the solution to address racial disparities that persist in birth outcomes. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a birth worker, or a community member, you can be part of the change by leaving your biases at the door.

Recognition is the first step to addressing this issue. The next step making the decision to do something to correct it. Whether it’s within you, a co-worker, or something you have identified within your organization. Be the VOICE to speak up and address the misinformation, racism, or bias you see that could impact the care a patient receives.

You can also:

• Educate expectant parents on the importance of kick counting in the third trimester.
• Encourage expectant parents to speak up if they notice a change in their baby’s movements.
• Elevate the stories and voices of marginalized communities.
• Attend a training on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Advocate for systems change surrounding reduced fetal movement and prenatal care.
• Encourage healthcare providers to utilize inclusive brochures and materials.
• Educate others. Now that you know, share what you’ve learned with colleagues and friends.

Panel of Experts: The State of Black Maternal Mental Health in the U.S.

In conjunction with Black Maternal Mental Health Week, Healthy Birth Day, Inc., Count the Kicks, and MercyOne hosted a panel discussion to continue the conversation on The State of Black Maternal Health in the U.S., with a specific focus on Black Maternal Mental Health.

Panelists include:

• Stephaney Moody, moderator for Healthy Birth Day, Inc. and Count the Kicks
• Nneka Hall, founder of Mother IS Supreme and Count the Kicks Massachusetts Ambassador
• Jacquie Easley McGhee, Division Director, Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, MercyOne
• Chemyeeka Tumblin, Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health
• Dawn Levinson, MSW, Deputy Director Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA
• AJ Bostic, LPC, CD-PICD, PMH-C of Women’s Reproductive & Perinatal Mental Health, The Healing Womb Program

A recording of the presentation and a panel discussion on ways we can work together to improve maternal mental health outcomes for Black expectant parents is available.

Download Presentation Slides