New Texas Law Mandates Hospital Support for Grieving Families Amid Rising Infant Mortality Rates
As of this month, Texas has implemented a new law that mandates hospitals providing maternity care to be adequately equipped to support families experiencing stillbirths and infant loss. This includes offering bereavement counseling and the availability of cooling bassinets intended to preserve the dignity of the deceased infants.
The legislation, House Bill 37, was driven by a surge in infant fatalities linked to a strict abortion ban imposed in Texas. Recent research published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that the state observed a nearly 13% rise in infant deaths in 2022, alongside an 8% increase in the infant mortality rate and a shocking 23% rise in infants passing away due to birth defects.
The Case of Everly Talman
The law’s focus on enhancing support for grieving families was largely inspired by the heartbreaking story of Everly Talman, a stillborn girl born to Katie and Tyler Talman of North Dallas. Katie has always aspired to be a mother and felt immense joy when she discovered she was pregnant with twins. However, after losing one twin at 9 weeks and later discovering the surviving baby had Turner Syndrome, a condition that greatly increases the risk of miscarriage, her joy turned to sorrow.
Despite the grim prognosis, Katie and Tyler decided against terminating the pregnancy, hoping for a miracle. Unfortunately, Katie’s labor experience was marked by a tragic silence when the Doppler monitor, which had brought her comfort, revealed Everly’s heartbeat was no more. “It was the most devastating moment of my life,” Katie recounted. After her tragic loss, Katie was fortunate to have access to a cooling bassinet, allowing her to spend precious time with her daughter before her body was taken away, an experience she described as unforgettable.
Impact of Cooling Bassinets
Cooling bassinets, like Cuddle Cots and Caring Cradles, offer families the vital opportunity to spend more time with their lost infants, delaying the natural decaying process. Katie highlighted that these bassinets have proven essential for many families in similar situations. Parents who have used these bassinets have come forward on social media platforms to express gratitude for the time they were allowed to have with their children. “The Cooling Cot made it possible for our family to be whole for just that little while,” said one mother.
Legislative Advocacy
Following her experience, Katie was approached by Mihaela Plesa, her neighbor and a state representative candidate, who was inspired by her story of loss. Plesa, who has her own history with infertility treatments, took it upon herself to draft legislation aimed at addressing the growing needs of families coping with infant loss. Despite opposition surrounding other reproductive rights issues, House Bill 37 garnered broad support. “It recognizes the pain that many families are enduring,” Plesa explained.
| Year | Infant Mortality Rate Increase | Baby Deaths Due to Birth Defects |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Decrease by 3% | N/A |
| 2021 | Decrease by nearly 1% | N/A |
| 2022 | Increase by over 8% | Increase by 23% |
Today, as Katie navigates life as a mother of two boys, she continues to honor her daughter Everly by sharing her story and advocating for improved care for grieving families. Katie’s journey exposes the harsh realities many face while also shedding light on the urgent need for compassionate support in hospitals, ensuring that parents have the time and resources they need to cope with devastating losses.
