The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is initiating a maternal health campaign focused on stillbirth prevention. This campaign aims to educate expecting mothers and their families, particularly during the third trimester of pregnancy.
State Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado, MD, FACP, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We are working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Tennessee. Stillbirths have a profound impact on families and preventing these tragedies is a top priority. We are committed to providing expectant mothers and their families with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their pregnancies and support healthier outcomes.”
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The campaign will highlight common signs and symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, fever, vaginal bleeding or spotting, and particularly changes in the baby’s normal movement patterns, which can often be the first or only indication of a potential issue.
Launching in September, the campaign encourages expecting parents to download and use the Count the Kicks app. This free mobile app, available in 21 languages, allows parents to monitor and track their baby’s movements daily from the start of the third trimester, or 28 weeks. Any changes in the time it takes for the baby to reach 10 movements could signal potential problems, prompting immediate contact with a healthcare provider.
Educational materials, both digital and printable, will be made available in English and Spanish to maternal health providers, social service agencies, and childbirth educators. Additionally, TDH will host a free Count the Kicks webinar for healthcare providers on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Central. The webinar will cover the importance of fetal movement monitoring and the effective use of the Count the Kicks app and materials. Interested participants can register here.
In 2021, Tennessee recorded 541 stillbirths, with a significant portion occurring from 28 to 37 weeks gestation and beyond. It is estimated that one quarter of stillbirths are preventable. Further details can be found in TDH’s 2024 Report on Fetal Death in Tennessee.
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