“America’s moms are celebrating passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last night. Since the U.S. Senate passed this legislation with unanimous consent last September, the House vote is a significant milestone that puts the country on track for meaningful action to improve maternal and infant health. It’s about time.

“A stillbirth is one of the most shattering experiences a family can face, and it happens approximately 21,000 times each year in this country. That’s 58 stillbirths per day – or 1 in 175 pregnancies ending with that tragedy. Women who experience a stillbirth are more likely to die after delivery and experience depression than women whose babies are born alive. It is especially troubling that there are significant racial and ethnic disparities, with Black and Native American families experiencing stillbirths at about twice the rate of White families. Studies have shown that as many as one in four U.S. stillbirths may be preventable.

“Despite the prevalence and implications, the causes of stillbirths have been under-studied and prevention under-funded. That will begin to change now. The bill the House passed last night will expand the scope of the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to support evidence-based programs and research to prevent stillbirths. That will include screening and surveillance for fetal growth restriction, community-based programs that provide home visits and other supports, and more. It is our fervent hope that this new law will put our country on a path to ensure that fewer families will have to experience the terrible grief and pain that comes with a stillbirth.”