By Quin Welch, Building Kentucky
This Mother’s Day, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is partnering with the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program to improve birth outcomes for Kentucky families.
Stillbirth is defined as the loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a tragedy that impacts 311 pregnancies a year in Kentucky, on average. Every year, more than 21,000 U.S. families experience the pain of losing a baby in the final weeks of pregnancy.
Disparities in stillbirth outcomes persist, and data shows that a disproportionate number of babies are born still to Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Black, and American Indian or Alaska Native families. Expectant parents in some age groups, geographic locations, and those expecting multiples also face an increased risk of stillbirth. Research shows at least 25% of stillbirths can be prevented.
A baby’s movements are an important sign of their well-being in the third trimester of pregnancy. Count the Kicks educates expectant parents to get to know what movement patterns are normal for their baby. By doing a daily kick counting session using Count the Kicks, moms will become familiar with their baby’s movement patterns, be more alert to potential red flags, and feel empowered to contact their provider if their baby’s movements ever change.
“One of the most critical pregnancy warning signs is a change in a baby’s movements during the third trimester. That’s why we are proud to partner with Count the Kicks to share this free and easy-to-use pregnancy tool with all expectant parents in Kentucky,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, Anthem Kentucky Medical Director.
Expectant parents are encouraged to download the FREE Count the Kicks mobile app (available in more than 20 languages), or count using a paper chart or the web-based kick counting platform. The Count the Kicks app also includes a contraction timer and Ask Ana, an AI-generated assistant, which allows users to receive curated, evidence-based responses to questions about their baby’s movement, providing additional autonomy and support for expectant parents. The AI-based assistant provides real-time support to expectant parents, offering insights tailored to their unique pregnancy experiences.
After a few days using Count the Kicks, expectant parents will begin to see a pattern in the normal amount of time it takes their baby to get to 10 movements. If expectant parents notice a change in the strength of their baby’s movements or how long it takes their baby to reach 10 movements, they are encouraged to get checked by a healthcare provider right away.
Thanks to this partnership, maternal health providers, birthing hospitals, social services agencies, doulas, and childbirth educators across our state can order FREE Count the Kicks educational materials (available at CountTheKicks.org) to help them educate expectant parents on getting to know their baby’s normal movement patterns. Anthem encourages everyone who works with expectant parents to order these FREE materials to share with the families you serve.
Research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology shows a more than 30% reduction in Iowa’s stillbirth rate in the first 10 years of the Count the Kicks stillbirth prevention program at a time when America’s stillbirth rate remained stagnant. The results have led researchers to call for urgent action to address the stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and to study Count the Kicks on a national level. Anthem is hoping to bring the same success that Iowa has seen to Kentucky, which would save approximately 100 babies in the state each year.[1]
