by Adriana Gallardo and Duaa Eldeib, design by Zisiga Mukulu
This story contains photos of stillborn babies.
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Every year, more than 20,000 pregnancies in the U.S. end in a stillbirth, the death of an expected child at 20 weeks of pregnancy or more. For the past two years, ProPublica has been examining the failures that have led to the stillbirth crisis. While other wealthy countries have reduced their stillbirth rates, the U.S. lags behind. Black women are more than twice as likely as white women to have a stillbirth.
More than 200 people shared their stories with ProPublica. Over and over, they told us about the costs of failing to prioritize stillbirth prevention.
Many mothers neared or reached their due date only to be told their babies had died in their wombs.
We invited 60 families to share their baby’s name. This memorial — which highlights some of their stories — concludes with a list of all 60 names.
We offered parents the following prompts:
You were …
You made me …
You gave me …
In some cases, multiple families expressed the same feelings following a stillbirth. We grouped those submissions together to underscore the power of those responses.
Visit ProPublica.org to experience the full interactive memorial.
A Memorial for the Children Lost to Stillbirth
Each day in the U.S., about 60 babies are stillborn. Here, families share their child’s name and their lasting legacy.
You were perfect.
Several families referred to their babies as “perfect” and reflected on the profound impact their babies had on their lives.
Caleb Marcus Lens
— Jill and Josh Lens, Caleb’s parents, pictured with Hannah (left) and Gretchen
Stillborn in 2017 at 37 weeks
Cooper Allen Dunlap
— Lexi and Joey Dunlap, Cooper’s parents
Stillborn in 2022 at 40 weeks
Emilia Madeleine Rose Clough
— Charmel and Daniel Clough, Emilia’s parents
Stillborn in 2017 at 33 weeks
Amelia Claire
— Caroline Kercheval and Renzo Barrientos, Amelia’s parents
Stillborn in 2020 at 34 weeks in 2020
Mason Joseph Bode
– Laura and Travis Bode, Mason’s parents
Stillborn in 2023 at 40 weeks
Despite the fatalistic acceptance that some babies just die, ProPublica found that not all stillbirths were inevitable. A lack of research and awareness creates significant barriers to better understanding and preventing stillbirths.
But even with these failings, there’s hope. The National Institutes of Health in March released a report listing a series of steps national and local agencies can take to lower the stillbirth rate. Congress is considering two stillbirth-prevention bills to help address the country’s stillbirth crisis. One has passed in the Senate. Parents continue to fight for change.
You made me a mother.
In response to the prompt “You made me,” many women said their babies made them a mother. Here are some of their entries:
D.J. Anderson
– Alishia Anderson, D.J.’s mother, pictured with Derrek Anderson
Stillborn in 2016 at 28 weeks
Hank Justice Felker
– Allie Felker, Hank’s mother
Stillborn in 2020 at 31 weeks
Giles Jones
– Ava Jones, Giles’ mother, pictured with Gregory Jones Jr.
Stillborn in 2019 at 39 weeks
Lily Josephine Parncutt
– Janel Parncutt, Lily’s mother
Stillborn in 2023 at 34 weeks
C.J. Spivey Hunsberger
– Ashley Spivey, C.J.’s mother
Stillborn in 2020 at 31 weeks
Rhoan Osborne Bailey
– Erica Bailey, Rhoan’s mother
Stillborn in 2020 at 39 weeks
Baby Beet Kessler
– Shanley Peterson, Baby Beet’s mother
Stillborn in 2021 at 36 weeks
The grief of a stillbirth is difficult to fully capture. It can last a lifetime. People who’ve lost a pregnancy often experience a crushing guilt, wondering if they could have done anything to save their baby. In some cases, their pain is followed by anger at a health care system that did not educate them on the risks of stillbirth, monitor them closely enough or listen to them when they said something felt wrong.
Mental health experts often advise parents grappling with grief to focus on a moment or a memory that gives them comfort. Some choose an image that makes them think of their baby or that highlights a milestone like a birthday or what would have been the first day of school. Others take walks at places they had envisioned visiting with their babies.
Visit ProPublica to experience the full immersive and interactive memorial. This feature provides an opportunity to read heartfelt tributes from families who have shared their stories. Join us in honoring the names of 60 stillborn babies.
Development by Jason Kao. Photo editing by Peter DiCampo.
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