COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Statehouse bill to designate Sept. 19 as Stillbirth Prevention Day in Ohio is heading to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk.
The legislation, Senate Bill 207, passed the Ohio House on Tuesday as part of an effort to raise awareness for mothers who have experienced that loss. Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Dublin), the bill’s primary sponsor, said she proposed the bill after NBC4’s Jennifer Bullock experienced the loss of her son Miles, and her effort to raise awareness through Miles Mission.
“Although this was a time of grief and sorrow for the Bullock family, the family’s resilience provided them with a newfound purpose of helping others throughout the difficulties of pregnancy and infant loss,” said Kunze when S.B. 207 passed the Ohio Senate last month. “I am grateful this day will bring awareness to this cause.”
About 750 babies were lost to stillbirth in Ohio during 2020, according to the state’s department of health. Between 2010 and 2019, the state averaged 6.4 fetal deaths per 1,000 live births.
“All of us at Miles’ Mission are truly honored, humbled, and very appreciative of the Stillbirth Prevention Bill passing in the Ohio House,” said Michael Bullock, Jennifer’s father and the president of Miles’ Mission. “We want to thank the legislators for making it happen and for making it possible for families of pregnancy and infant loss to know that there are those who truly care about the welfare and health of mothers and children.”
Caitlin Feldman, policy director with Groundwork Ohio, said during a Nov. 20 hearing for the bill that stillbirth “disproportionately affects women from certain racial or ethnic backgrounds.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women experience
stillbirth at nearly twice the rate of most other racial groups.
“While these groups face heightened risks, it is essential to recognize that stillbirth can occur unexpectedly — even in healthy, low-risk pregnancies,” Feldman said. “Experts estimate that nearly one in four stillbirths are potentially preventable. Quality prenatal care, screenings, and education are essential to meaningfully decreasing stillbirths.”