Governor Stein Proclaims National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day

National Stillbirth Prevention And Awareness Day

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, stillbirth refers to pregnancy loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and affects approximately 21,000 families in the United States annually, with devastating emotional, social, and economic impacts on families and communities; and

Whereas, the United States remains the only industrialized nation with rising maternal mortality rates, with these tragic outcomes disproportionately affecting non-Hispanic Black, Native American, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women; and

Whereas, many stillbirths are preventable through improved prenatal care, education, and awareness of risk factors such as smoking and having high blood pressure during pregnancy; and

Whereas, organizations like Jace’s Journey and Madison’s Closet work tirelessly to address the maternal health crisis through education, advocacy, and community support; and

Whereas, increased awareness and understanding of stillbirth prevention, including tracking and awareness of fetal movements (informally known as “kick counts”) after 26 weeks of pregnancy and sleeping on one’s side during third trimester of pregnancy, can lead to improved maternal health outcomes and save precious lives; and

Whereas, improved research and data collection are needed to better understand stillbirth and contributing risk factors in the United States with the goal of lowering the stillbirth rate; and

Whereas, we recognize the profound impact of stillbirth on families and acknowledge their need for support, understanding, and compassion during their grief; and

Whereas, this observance provides an opportunity to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention, honor the memories of babies lost, and support bereaved families;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 19, 2025, as “National Stillbirth Prevention And Awareness Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.