Learn • Understand • Take action

Every baby deserves a tomorrow.
Every mother deserves to be heard.

Stillbirth and Black maternal health disparities deserve our attention—and our action. At Jace’s Journey, we turn lived experience into education that helps families ask questions, recognize concerns, and advocate for compassionate, equitable care.

Understand stillbirth Explore Black maternal health

Behind every number is a family

The disparities demand attention.

These national figures describe different outcomes. Together, they show why we focus on both babies’ lives and mothers’ health.

3.2×

the maternal mortality rate

In 2024, the rate was 44.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births for non-Hispanic Black women, compared with 14.2 for non-Hispanic White women.

CDC/NCHS, 2024 final data; ratio rounded

Maternal mortality here includes deaths related to pregnancy or its management during pregnancy or within 42 days after pregnancy ends. Stillbirth and maternal mortality are distinct measures, and the data years differ.

Stillbirth awareness & prevention

Start the conversation before a crisis.

In the United States, stillbirth means the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can affect families of every background, and sometimes the cause remains unknown.

Our goal is to make stillbirth part of everyday pregnancy education: what to discuss with your care team, what changes need attention, and where to find reliable information.

Learn more about stillbirth

Conversations to have with your care team

  • Ask about your individual risks and the plan for monitoring your health and your baby’s growth.
  • Discuss your baby’s usual movement pattern and what to do if it changes.
  • Ask which symptoms need immediate care and who to contact after hours.
  • Discuss how conditions such as high blood pressure will be monitored and managed.
Read CDC’s stillbirth overview →

If you have experienced loss: You deserve compassion, answers, and support. Learning about prevention is never a reason to blame yourself. Your baby’s life matters, and your grief deserves care.

Stillbirth prevention resource

Get to know your baby’s movements.

Jace’s Journey encourages families to explore Count the Kicks for information and tools to learn about their baby’s movement patterns and support conversations with their maternity care team.

If you notice change in strength of movements or how long it takes your baby to get to 10 movements contact your maternity care team immediately.

Explore Count the Kicks ↗

Black maternal health

Being heard is part of receiving safe care.

Black families deserve timely care, clear explanations, informed choices, and respectful treatment throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

CDC explains that racial differences in stillbirth rates are not caused by biological or genetic differences between races. Access to quality care and other factors affecting pregnancy must be part of the conversation.

01 / LISTEN

Take concerns seriously.

Families deserve space to describe their symptoms, ask questions, and receive a clear explanation of the next steps.

02 / INFORM

Make choices understandable.

Explain recommendations, benefits, risks, and alternatives in plain language. Support informed consent and meaningful participation in care.

03 / ACT

Make equitable care the standard.

Self-advocacy is one tool. Health systems also have a responsibility to respond promptly, address barriers, and provide respectful care.

Know the warning signs

When something feels wrong, seek care.

CDC advises immediate medical care for urgent warning signs during pregnancy and in the year after delivery. Tell the care team if you are pregnant or were pregnant within the last year.

  • Your baby’s movement slows or stops during pregnancy.
  • A severe or persistent headache, vision changes, fainting, or severe belly pain.
  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, or a racing heart.
  • Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy, or heavy bleeding after pregnancy.

These are examples, not the complete list. Contact your maternity care team immediately for reduced movement. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

See all CDC urgent warning signs

Education that moves with you

Bring the learning to your community.

We create opportunities for families, community members, and those who support them to build knowledge and strengthen conversations about maternal and infant health.

ACTT self-advocacy workshops

Practice asking questions, claiming your space, trusting your body, and telling your story. Explore informed choices and ways to communicate with your maternity care team.

Explore our workshops →

Birthing Matters

Community conversations about pregnancy complications, urgent warning signs, mental health, and self-advocacy—connecting families with information and support.

Ask about community education →

Common questions

Make room for honest conversations.

Is stillbirth the same as miscarriage or infant death?

No. In the United States, miscarriage generally refers to a loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy, while stillbirth occurs at or after 20 weeks. Infant death occurs after a baby is born alive and before their first birthday. Every loss deserves recognition and support.

Can education guarantee a healthy outcome?

No. Education helps families recognize concerns and communicate with care teams, but it cannot guarantee an outcome. Prevention also requires responsive clinical care, research, and improvements in health systems.

How can partners and loved ones help?

Listen when someone says something feels wrong. Help them contact their care team, support their questions, and accompany them when invited. After loss, acknowledge their baby and offer support without pressure to move on.

You do not have to navigate this alone.

Whether you are preparing for a conversation with your care team, seeking support after loss, or bringing education to your organization, there is a place for you here.

Find support & resources Connect with Jace’s Journey

Sources & further learning

Sources reviewed October 6, 2026. This page provides education and does not replace individual medical care.