Hello! My name is Meredith White and I live in Southeastern Ohio with my husband, Jacob, and our dog Patton. On Sept. 23, 2021, at 36 weeks pregnant, I gave birth to a stillborn daughter, Hattie Jean White. My pregnancy was PERFECT. Every appointment was positive and both myself and my baby were healthy. Losing Hattie was a shock. After having a full autopsy done, we still have no reasons as to what caused Hattie to die.
Hattie was a mover — multiple times a day she would have her little gymnastics routine in the womb. For this reason, when I stopped feeling her move on Sept. 22 (one day after my perfect 36 week appointment and ultrasound), I had a feeling something was not right. That night we were given the awful news that our baby did not have a heartbeat. Since losing Hattie, I have asked myself over and over again … why? I wanted to become an ambassador for Count the Kicks to share my story and make sure others know that they are not alone.
My job as Hattie’s mom is to advocate for stillbirth prevention and honor her and the other babies gone too soon. Since learning about Count the Kicks, I have wondered daily … if I had been educated more about kick counting and Count the Kicks, would Hattie still be here today?
Not only am I an ambassador for Count the Kicks, but my husband and I also have a nonprofit in our hometown that helps less fortunate children participate in camps, lessons, sports, clubs, etc., involvement we longed for Hattie to be a part of. I also serve on the Ohio Study of Associated Risks of Stillbirth (SOARS) Advisory Committee and am working with moms all over the country on federal legislation on stillbirth prevention and research.
I look forward to continuing my work with other families and professionals to answer questions and end stillbirth. No one should have to endure the pain of losing a baby.
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