About Count the Kicks

Five Iowa Moms Launch Campaign to Prevent Late-Term Birth Complications and Stillbirth

The Count the Kicks campaign originated with five Des Moines-area moms who each lost daughters to late-term stillbirth or infant death.

We had no idea that the birth of our daughters would lead to such a powerful friendship. Each of us comes from a different background and circle of friends.

When we first met, no one was talking about stillbirths. We were frustrated after learning the startling statistics about how frequently stillbirths and infant deaths occur in the United States and how little was being done to prevent them. 

• The National Institute of Health estimates that of the 4 million births a year in the U.S., there are 26,000 stillbirths; meaning 70 American women deliver a stillborn each day.
• Overall, one in every 150 births results in a stillborn. The lack of a consistent standard of reporting suggests that this number may actually be even higher.

We decided to begin the conversation and try to make Iowa ‘the safest place in the country to have a baby.’ Most of the initiatives and campaigns we’ve started over the past six years began as ideas at various coffee shops around town – a statewide stillbirth registry project, parent-to-parent network, education seminars for the medical community on how to effectively care for grieving parents, and the Count the Kicks campaign.

In 2009, we founded the nonprofit organization, Healthy Birth Day.

Our goal of making Iowa ‘the safest place in the country to have a baby’ hasn’t changed, but the work is bigger than the five of us ever imagined. Healthy Birth Day is dedicated to preventing stillbirths and infant deaths through research, education and advocacy.

Count the Kicks

Two years ago, we learned that Norway launched a public health campaign on kick counting and dramatically reduced their stillbirth rates. We decided to see if we could achieve the same success in Iowa by creating a grassroots campaign with national and worldwide growth potential.

Our hope is that Count the Kicks will become as well known and followed by expectant parents as other call to action campaigns like taking prenatal vitamins or putting your baby ‘back to sleep.’

With the financial support of Heinz Family Philanthropies, we produced a radio public service announcement (PSA) campaign in Iowa. In 2008, we added posters, brochures and kick track cards for expectant parents and maternal health care providers. Through the generous printing help of Meredith Corporation and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health, we have been offering these materials free of charge to maternal health care providers in Iowa. Parents and providers can order materials or download free kick count charts online.

We are working on a Count the Kicks Ambassadors program to expand our campaign reach. We’d love to have you join us and share your ideas!

Click here to volunteer for Count the Kicks.

Click here to learn more about Healthy Birth Day.

Healthy Birth Day wishes,

Kate Safris

Kerry Biondi-Morlan 

Rep. Janet Petersen 

Tiffan Yamen

Jan Caruthers