Jen Rogalski found strength through @isastillbirth.bsky.social (ISA) after losing her son at 37 weeks.

ISA connects bereaved parents with a global network of support and hope.

You are not alone.

#IamISA #EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures

Stillbirth researcher Oghome Emembo highlights a stark reality: in Nigeria, a stillbirth occurs every 16 seconds.

Preventing these losses requires stronger maternal health services, better policies, and better data systems.

#IamISA #EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #Stillbirth

Parent advocate Nonkululeko Shibula speaks about the silence surrounding #stillbirth in many cultures.

Her message: stillbirth is not a curse and it is not a shame. Every baby deserves to be remembered.

#IamISA #EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings ##HopefulFutures

#Stillbirth is largely preventable, yet remains invisible due to #stigma & under-reporting.

Prof Neelam Aggarwal calls for equity, stronger data & political commitment to reach the global of 12 or fewer #stillbirths for every 1000 births.

#HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA #EndStillbirths

Myth: IVF guarantees unhealthy babies.
Fact: Children born through IVF show comparable health outcomes to naturally conceived children, supported by decades of data.
#IVFMyths #HealthyBeginnings #FertilityScience

Two hands holding a purple ribbon, symbolizing Prematurity Awareness Month, with the logo for New Bedford Community Health at the bottom.

This Prematurity Awareness Month, we raise awareness for families of premature infants and the importance of prenatal care.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4feKMSc

#PrematurityAwareness #MaternalHealth #NBCHCares #WICWorks #HealthyBeginnings

Celebrate With Us - Advocates for Children of New Jersey Let’s celebrate our accomplishments! Join us on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Galloping Hill Golf Club in Kenilworth, NJ, as we shine a spotlight on Maternal and Infant Healt...

We’re thrilled to celebrate our 10th Annual Breakfast—Stronger Starts: Advancing Maternal & Infant Health in NJ! Join us Dec 4 at Galloping Hill Golf Club. Hear from NJ’s maternal health leaders & support strong starts for every family. acnj.org/donate/celeb... #StrongerStarts #HealthyBeginnings

Ana Lepe Vick (@stillmyson.bsky.social) is a #stillbirth prevention advocate in memory of her son, Owen.

Ana reminds us: “Every baby born still, still counts.”

#Stillbirths hit the most vulnerable hardest - it’s a social justice issue.

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA

Cherriece shares her story on group #prenatalcare. Programs like CenteringPregnancy® are improving outcomes for parents and babies in NJ. #NJVotes4Kids #NJElection2025 #HealthyMomsHealthyBabies #BetterBirthsNJ #StrongerStarts #HealthyBeginnings #InvestInMomsAndBabies #PrioritizePrenatalCare

The Impact of Dose in an mHealth Intervention to Support Parents and Carers Via Healthy Beginnings for Hunter New England Kids Program: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial Background: The dose of mobile health (mHealth) interventions can significantly influence participant engagement, acceptability, and the overall effectiveness. However, few mHealth interventions have explored the dose-response relationship. Objective: Given the limited evidence, this study aims to explore how dose influences the acceptability, engagement, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of a parent targeted mHealth #TextMessaging #mhealth program which aims to enhance child health and wellbeing. Methods: The Healthy Beginnings for Hunter New England Kids (HB4HNEKids) program provides age and stage appropriate text messages aimed to support participants (parent/carers) and their children by providing evidence-based health and wellbeing care across the first 2000 days. Participants were enrolled in HB4HNEKids from five Child and Family Health Service (CFHS) pilot sites in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, and then randomised into either a low dose or high dose message group for the first 2 years of the program. Engagement with the messages was determined using click rates and program opt out rates. Participant acceptability was assessed via a brief online survey. Participants were asked to update their feeding status (as an indicator of effectiveness) at several time points across the program. The average cost of sending the text messages for the 2-year period was calculated, per participant. Results: There were no statistically or clinically significant differences in click rates between high or low dose or via feeding status. Overall, 6.7% of participants opted out of HB4HNEKids. There were no statistically significant differences in feeding status between high and low dose. In the first 6 months significantly more participants opted out of the high dose arm (6.8%) compared to the low dose (3.9%, p

JMIR Formative Res: The Impact of Dose in an mHealth Intervention to Support Parents and Carers Via Healthy Beginnings for Hunter New England Kids Program: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial #mHealth #Parenting #ChildHealth #HealthyBeginnings #DigitalHealth

“My daughter Madison was born still. Stillbirth shattered my world. The silence is isolating."

Henderson Lafond reflects on #stillbirth as a #SocialJustice issue. She calls for urgency, visibility & change to do better; every baby matters.

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA

“My twins died before they could take their first breath. My babies mattered and I’ll never stop saying their names.”

Stillbirth isn’t rare. It happens every day, quietly & invisibly.

Michelle La Fontaine, bereaved parent from Canada

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA

"My baby Amani died. It broke me, but also led me to advocate for better."

Vivian's story is one of heartbreak & hope. No one should lose a baby because care was too late. #Stillbirths are preventable with better care, systems and justice.

#HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA #EndStillbirths

Pregnancy should be joyful. But for many in Africa, it’s filled with anxiety, loss, and injustice.

Linda Vanotoo of @isastillbirth.bsky.social reminds us that #stillbirth is preventable.

The time to act is now.

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA

Pregnancy should be joyful. But for many in Africa, it’s filled with anxiety, loss, and injustice.

Linda Vanotoo reminds us that #stillbirth is preventable.

The time to act is now.

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #IamISA

We don’t talk enough about #stillbirth. Not in health policy. Not in global reports.
Not where it matters most.

But families never forget.

I'm speaking up as part of the #IAmISA campaign.

More at @isastillbirth.bsky.social

#EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures

“Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.”

#Stillbirth is a silent crisis—1.9 million babies lost each year.

@aleenawoj.bsky.social reminds us: this is about real babies, real families, and real injustice.

#IamISA #EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures

Women with sickle-cell disease face increased risks during #pregnancy; from infection & anaemia to preterm birth & pre-eclampsia.

Our guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to help providers manage these risks & improve outcomes.

📘 Read more: bit.ly/4e6wL9m
#HealthyBeginnings

📢 Did you know?

The International Stillbirth Alliance has joined the @who.int campaign #HealthyBeginnings, #HopefulFutures with its own year-long global effort for #stillbirth.

This campaign is called #IAmISA.

Catch up on all the posts so far at @isastillbirth.bsky.social

#EndStillbirths

Meet @amandarosswhite.bsky.social. Amanda lost her sons Nate and Sam to #stillbirth in 2007. She now teaches nurses to care
with empathy and evidence.

Amanda's work reminds us that respectful care changes everything.

#IamISA #EndStillbirths #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures

Our 4 #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures campaign messages:
✔️Stillbirth is a major burden in maternal & newborn health
✔️It’s not just a health issue - it intersects with conflict, climate, poverty & inequality
✔️Stillbirth is a matter of social justice
✔️We must challenge stigma & lift parent voices

📢 We have joined the @who.int campaign #HealthyBeginnings, #HopefulFutures with our own year-long global effort.

🎥 Today, meet @zanleisher.bsky.social & @hblencowe.bsky.social, our Stillbirth Advocacy Working Group co-chairs, as they share our campaign’s vision.

#EndStillbirths #IamISA

Happy Birth Day! Welcome @thelancet.bsky.social new journal on Obstetrics, Gynae & health!
Just in time for @who.int year of focus on maternal, newborn health and preparing stillbirths
#HopefulFutures #HealthyBeginnings
#WHD2025

Govt to reduce ‘alarmingly high’ maternal deaths by 2030 The Ministry of Health and Social Services has renewed its commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths and improving infant nutrition at a World Health Day event at Katima Mulilo. Health minister Esperance Luvindao says the ministry hopes to reduce maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rates significantly by 2030. She said this during a World Health Day event at Katima Mulilo on Monday. The theme for his year is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, with a specific focus on maternal and newborn health dedicated to raising awareness of the critical importance of the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. Luvindao said the current rates of maternal and neonatal mortality remain alarmingly high in many regions, especially in low-resource settings. She said the 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicated that Namibia’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 215 deaths per 100 000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate was 19 deaths per 1 000 live births. “This is alarmingly high. No mother should die in the process of giving birth. Similarly, neonatal deaths account for a significant proportion of deaths among children under five years,” she said. Luvindao said Namibia is committed to addressing the health and nutrition of women, children, and adolescents to ensure the long-term health and well-being of the nation. As such, the ministry would like to achieve the global targets set by the WHO and the United Nations to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030, and to reduce neonatal mortality to less than 12 per 1 000 live births by 2030. “As a signatory to global and national commitments, Namibia strives to achieve these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Nutrition Targets by 2030,” she said. The minister said over the years, breastfeeding practices in Namibia have declined due to factors such as employed nursing mothers with competing work priorities, teenage mothers who need to return to school, accessibility to various marketing of infant feeding products, and inappropriate complementary feeding of infants. “A smart survey conducted by the health ministry late last year has shown that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding stands at 49%. Additionally, the introduction of solid foods at six to eight months is only done in 78% of cases, while continued breastfeeding to two years is only done in 36% of cases. “The undesirable feeding practices contribute to high levels of malnutrition and stunting (children who are small for their age) in Namibia, which has adverse effects later in the life of a child,” Luvindao said. WHO country representative Richard Banda has appealed to the Namibian government and stakeholders to invest more in maternal and health infrastructure, human resources, and essential medical supplies. He said the government should empower communities to be in charge of maternal and child health through health education and social mobilisation. “Furthermore, they should address inequities and leave no woman or child behind – regardless of socio-economic status or geography. And use technology and innovation to improve service delivery, data collection, and decision-making,” he said. The post Govt to reduce ‘alarmingly high’ maternal deaths by 2030 appeared first on The Namibian.

#MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #WorldHealthDay

Govt to reduce ‘alarmingly high’ maternal deaths by 2030 The Ministry of Health and Social Services has renewed its commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths and improving infant nutrition at a World Health Day event at Katima Mulilo. Health minister Esperance Luvindao says the ministry hopes to reduce maternal mortality and neonatal mortality rates significantly by 2030. She said this during a World Health Day event at Katima Mulilo on Monday. The theme for his year is ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’, with a specific focus on maternal and newborn health dedicated to raising awareness of the critical importance of the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. Luvindao said the current rates of maternal and neonatal mortality remain alarmingly high in many regions, especially in low-resource settings. She said the 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) report indicated that Namibia’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 215 deaths per 100 000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate was 19 deaths per 1 000 live births. “This is alarmingly high. No mother should die in the process of giving birth. Similarly, neonatal deaths account for a significant proportion of deaths among children under five years,” she said. Luvindao said Namibia is committed to addressing the health and nutrition of women, children, and adolescents to ensure the long-term health and well-being of the nation. As such, the ministry would like to achieve the global targets set by the WHO and the United Nations to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030, and to reduce neonatal mortality to less than 12 per 1 000 live births by 2030. “As a signatory to global and national commitments, Namibia strives to achieve these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Nutrition Targets by 2030,” she said. The minister said over the years, breastfeeding practices in Namibia have declined due to factors such as employed nursing mothers with competing work priorities, teenage mothers who need to return to school, accessibility to various marketing of infant feeding products, and inappropriate complementary feeding of infants. “A smart survey conducted by the health ministry late last year has shown that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding stands at 49%. Additionally, the introduction of solid foods at six to eight months is only done in 78% of cases, while continued breastfeeding to two years is only done in 36% of cases. “The undesirable feeding practices contribute to high levels of malnutrition and stunting (children who are small for their age) in Namibia, which has adverse effects later in the life of a child,” Luvindao said. WHO country representative Richard Banda has appealed to the Namibian government and stakeholders to invest more in maternal and health infrastructure, human resources, and essential medical supplies. He said the government should empower communities to be in charge of maternal and child health through health education and social mobilisation. “Furthermore, they should address inequities and leave no woman or child behind – regardless of socio-economic status or geography. And use technology and innovation to improve service delivery, data collection, and decision-making,” he said. The post Govt to reduce ‘alarmingly high’ maternal deaths by 2030 appeared first on The Namibian.

#MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth #HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #WorldHealthDay

World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures World Health Day 2025 underlines the critical role anaesthesiologists play in improving maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality outcomes around the world The theme for World Health Day 2025…

🌍 Monday was #WorldHealthDay! This year's theme, #HealthyBeginnings, #HopefulFutures, highlights the vital role of anaesthesiologists in safeguarding mothers & newborns @who.int

More about safe anaesthesia as a cornerstone of quality #obstetriccare 👉 shorturl.at/0WWhd
#WHD25

Most maternal and newborn deaths occur around the time of birth, making this a critical window for saving lives.

All women and babies have the right to high quality care and respectful treatment during labour and birth.

#HealthyBeginnings #HopefulFutures #HealthForAll