New Texas Law Mandates Support for Grieving Families Amid Rising Infant Death Rates Following Abortion Restrictions
As of this month, a new law in Texas requires hospitals providing maternity care to have resources in place for families experiencing stillbirths or the loss of an infant. This law, House Bill 37, mandates access to bereavement counseling and specialized cooling bassinets to support grieving parents.
The enactment of this legislation comes in response to a troubling increase in infant death rates in Texas in the wake of strict abortion regulations. A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed a nearly 13% surge in infant mortality rates statewide since 2022, along with an alarming 23% rise in deaths attributed to congenital disabilities.
Inspiration Behind Everly’s Law
The impetus for House Bill 37 can be traced back to the heart-wrenching experience of Katie and Tyler Talman from North Dallas, whose daughter Everly was stillborn. Katie expressed a lifelong desire to become a mother, which she realized in 2018 when she became pregnant with twins. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived as one twin was lost early in the pregnancy, followed by a devastating diagnosis of Turner Syndrome for Everly at 12 weeks.
Despite the odds, Katie and Tyler chose to continue the pregnancy. However, the journey was fraught with emotional challenges. “It was tough to find joy during my pregnancy,” Katie recounted, addressing the difficulty of maintaining normalcy while preparing for an uncertain outcome. After an agonizing experience that led to the stillbirth of Everly, Katie shared her overwhelming peace when holding her daughter despite the tragedy.
The Importance of Cooling Bassinets
Katie Talman emphasized the significance of having a Cuddle Cot or Caring Cradle, which utilizes cooling technology to preserve the body of stillborn infants. These bassinets offer families extended opportunities to spend precious moments with their loved ones. Other mothers have echoed her sentiments on social media, sharing stories of how these facilities made a difference during their greatest loss.
“Thanks to the Cuddle Cot, we could spend several days with our baby,” said Bridgett Rogers, who experienced a similar loss. “It allowed family members to gather and say their goodbyes.”
Rising Rates of Infant Mortality
With a backdrop of increasing infant death rates following the state’s abortion ban, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found the number of newborns dying in their first year of life surged after previously declining for years. The 2022 data showed a significant contrast to earlier trends, where rates had been decreasing steadily.
Legislative Impact and Future Direction
The passage of House Bill 37 exemplifies a collective effort among Texas lawmakers to acknowledge and address the increasing challenges faced by families experiencing infant loss. Mihaela Plesa, a state representative and advocate for the bill, emphasized the need for properly trained hospital staff to support grieving families effectively.
“Texas has the potential to set a national standard for the care provided to bereaved families,” Plesa remarked, highlighting the strong bipartisan support for the measure in a divisive political landscape.
As Katie Talman continues her journey as a mother of two boys, she cherishes Everly’s memory, adorned with symbols of their bond throughout her home. House Bill 37 acts as a vital step toward providing solace and dignity to families navigating through unimaginable sorrow.
