The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation has partnered with Count the Kicks, an evidence-based stillbirth prevention program, to educate expectant parents in Connecticut about the importance of tracking fetal movement in the third trimester of pregnancy.
In announcing the partnership, the foundation noted that 161 pregnancies in Connecticut end in stillbirth on average, adding that nearly 30% of stillbirths can be prevented when expectant parents are informed on the importance of tracking their baby’s movements daily starting at 28 weeks. Count the Kicks offers a free app that provides expectant parents with a user-friendly way to monitor their babies’ well-being every day, while paper kick-counting charts are also available on the program’s website.
“My son Brayden could be alive if I was educated on the importance of fetal movement in my first pregnancy,” said Megan Morello, the Greenwich-based Ambassador for the Count the Kicks program in Connecticut. “It is so important for every mother to learn about counting kicks and how that could potentially save your baby’s life. No mother should ever have to hear the words ‘I’m sorry, but we can’t find the heartbeat.’”
“We are honored to partner with Count the Kicks to provide real-time resources and solutions for expectant moms and families in the state through educational and innovative programming,” said Lou Gianquinto, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. “This campaign will aid at-risk pregnant women and help empower them to take control of their health and discuss these vital details with their healthcare provider. Anthem remains committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes for mothers like Megan and others across Connecticut.”
