Causes of Stillbirth

The causes of stillbirth are many. For some, like me, their baby will die because of a knot in the umbilical cord, or a cord wrapped around the neck.

For others, they will never know what happened, why their baby died.

If you look into it, do a Google search on stillbirth, you will find articles on an increased risk of stillbirth after IVF, after chemotherapy for childhood cancer, chromosomal abnormalities, gestation growth problems, placental abruption, on and on and on.

And as mothers, we blame ourselves. For not paying enough attention, for not knowing when our baby died, for not knowing something was wrong. But all of these things were out of our control. No blame required.

I know, without doubt, that we need to know more, have more research done, more studies, more warning signs identified. Until we have national momentum to eradicate stillbirth, we will never decrease these numbers. Until we have enough people who care, who call attention to the numbers, it will never change.

Today's the Day the World Changes

All right, so my title for today's post may be a bit of a stretch, but can I tell you, I am proud today. Whether you are Republican or Democrat, black, white, tan, or whatever color you identify yourself with, whether you loved Bush or hated him, think Obama is a leftie socialist or the savior of the world: you know, today is a day over 200 years in the making.

I've never been one to go around gloating about how America is the greatest nation on the earth (too much arrogance in that statement for my taste, and as the wife of a man who is not from this country, and the mother of two children who can claim citizenship in that country, I'd rather see the world through a bigger lens). I've never really understood patriotism and love of country; perhaps that is my own personal failing, I don't know. I understand loving people, but the concept of loving my country is nebulous for me, at best. Maybe it's the Democrat in me (despite the very Republican upbringing) that sees the flaws as well as the good, the part of me that knows nothing is perfect and there is always more to strive for.

Today, for the first time in my life, I can say with all honesty, I am proud to be an American. Obama has a tough road ahead of him, a country full of potholes and craters created by others. Change takes time, and it is not Obama's road alone - we must all participate in filling in the cracks, listening to each other, working together, finding common ground.

But today, I am going to revel in this moment, in the pride and hope I feel. Change has come, and may America be better for it.