New Voices: If you could save 120 babies' lives …

Opinion editor's note: This article, part of our New Voices collection, was written by a first-time contributor to Star Tribune Opinion. For more information about our efforts to continually expand the range of views we publish, see startribune.com/opinion/newvoices.

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This session, Minnesota lawmakers have the opportunity to save 120 babies' lives every year. The proposed bill is not costly, and it's not controversial. It simply gives the green light to educate expectant parents on the importance of fetal movement monitoring. And it sends a signal to parents who have experienced pregnancy loss that we can do better.

More than 350 babies are stillborn in the state of Minnesota (born without breathing at 20 weeks gestation or more) each year. That's approximately 700 parents and hundreds of thousands of extended family and friends who grieve the loss of these very wanted and loved babies. My family became part of this statistic in 2014 when my daughter Reese was stillborn just 16 hours before her scheduled delivery. We were completely blindsided then, and the shock of this reality periodically sends shivers down my spine even now.

As the weeks had crept by during my pregnancy, my daughter had thrived in utero. After genetic testing and numerous ultrasounds, we were told that there were no indicators of concern. Reese, albeit measuring large, was hitting every milestone.

Around 37 weeks I noticed her movements changing, becoming weaker and less prominent. Although I had noticed this change, I was not aware of the importance of routinely tracking fetal movement and didn't have a baseline other than a gut feeling something felt off. When I brought this concern to my provider, I was told that this is normal; babies move less as they get closer to birth. It wasn't until after my daughter was born with the cord wrapped tightly around her neck twice that I learned that consistently tracking fetal movement in the third trimester can be the first and sometimes only indicator that a baby is in distress.

Reese had become tangled in her umbilical cord. With each twist, roll and jab of her 8-pound, 3-ounce body, her cord constricted, limiting her blood and oxygen supply. For you and me, when we aren't feeling well or we aren't getting the nutrients we need, our body demands rest and slows down. It's no different in utero. Babies who aren't getting enough nutrients through the cord or placenta will often slow down. Their historically active time of day will become less active.

Education for providers is necessary, too. If I had known about the importance of tracking my daughter's movements, I would have documented a steady decline in her kicks and their strength. I would have known that her baseline was changing, and I would have reported to labor and delivery sooner. Instead, by the time I arrived at the hospital I was told there was no heartbeat — that she likely had died within the hour in my womb, the one place that was meant to keep her safe. This education would have saved her life and given me the last 8.5 years with her. Instead I've spent the last 8.5 years wondering who our fiery redhead would be and fighting for change in her memory.

Fortunately, there is a solution. A growing number of states across the country have taken notice and implemented a statewide fetal movement tracking education plan. Our neighboring state of Iowa has seen a 32% decrease in stillbirth since 2008, when it funded and implemented this education. Meanwhile during this time, Minnesota has seen a 10% increase.

This session, Minnesota has the opportunity to follow suit and potentially save 120 babies each year. That's six more classrooms of kindergartners starting school each fall and hundreds of parents spared from the devastating loss of their child.

The Stillbirth Prevention Through Tracking Fetal Movement Pilot program (SF 1303 and HF 779) proposed this session is asking for a one-time $125,000 grant that would fund a three-year pilot to educate expectant parents on the importance of fetal movement monitoring, train providers, and dispel outdated information that babies run out of room as they grow and that sugary treats and cold water is what is needed if you're noticing a change in your baby's movements.

I hope our lawmakers will do what is right. The bill funds a low risk, noninvasive solution that will save lives without increasing our health care premiums. I could think of no better way for our lawmakers to show Minnesotans they care.