Every year in the U.S., there are 24,000 stillbirths.
According to experts, nearly two-thirds of stillbirths are unexplained due to very little research.
Two mothers are sharing their stories of heartbreak after delivering stillborn babies and hope to help other families who have experienced this same loss.
“It's difficult to say hello and goodbye to your daughter in the same day,” says Angie Butler.
On New Year’s Day of 2012, Butler held her daughter for the first and last time.
“I am constantly replaying in my mind the events of that day. It's the only memories that I have of her,” she says. In her loss, she gained a friend in Amy Kent who also could relate. “I experience our loss five years ago with our son Finnegan and we were 38 weeks along when we found out his heartbeat had stopped,” Kent says.
Later, the moms had more children but they realized they needed to do something to honor their children. Last August, they launched a walk, “Let's Not be Still Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness.”
The walk is associated with the Star Legacy Foundation which is based in Minnesota, Kent says. “They essentially raise money for stillbirth education and awareness and research so that one day all the efforts will pay off to just eliminate stillbirths altogether,” Kent says.
Recently, she joined the foundation's board where she hopes a chapter could develop in the metro.
“I think it's important to know that you're not alone,” Butler says.
To learn more about the Star Legacy Foundation,click here.
To learn more about the “Let's Not be Still Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness,” click here.
