My name is Amanda and I live in Wisconsin with my family. I used to live in Iowa, and have been volunteering with Count the Kicks for many years. I am a school administrator, and I am excited to bring my passion for education and Count the Kicks here with me to Wisconsin!
My second born, Preston, was born after a decrease in fetal movement. In fact, he wasn’t moving at all. He didn’t breathe, and his heart wasn’t beating. I can remember hearing the pediatric code blue announced over the hospital speaker system. The sudden rush of medical professionals that flew into the operating room formed a wall around my tiny baby. I couldn’t see what was happening, but I could hear them. “One, two three. One, two, three.” And I could hear the echoes of my screams and cries in a bright, sterile operating room, begging them to save my son.
I was lucky. My son lived and is now a bright and funny boy who is full of compassion, kindness, and energy. It wasn’t until after he was born that I heard of tracking fetal movement. I can remember my doctor often asking, “Is the baby moving like normal?” But I didn’t understand how important that question was.
Expectant mothers shouldn’t have to be lucky to have their baby live. They should be empowered with knowledge. Count the Kicks is an organization that empowers women and expectant parents and teaches them to use their powerful voices to advocate for their unborn babies. Tracking fetal movement, or “kick counting” can be accessible to everyone, is easy to understand, and is free. This information needs to be in the hands of expectant parents.
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