Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Public Health and Social Services

Fetal Infant Mortality Review & Prevention

Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) teams are composed of diverse professionals who convene to analyze the root causes of fetal and infant deaths in their local areas. Through identifying the factors leading to each fatality, our team can create joint strategies for prevention, address racial and ethnic gaps in birth results, and enhance maternal well-being.

Thurston County is the first county in Washington State that is working to review fetal and infant deaths and is funded by the National Center for Fatality Review & Prevention. 

Please contact Lisa Ostler at PHSS_FIMR@co.thurston.wa.us with questions about the structure of FIMR in Thurston County.

Share Your Story | Fetal Infant Mortality Review Referral Form

Sharing your story can honor your baby’s life and may help save the lives of others.

 

Upcoming Events

Thurston County Bereavement Support Group

We invite you to take part in a 6-week bereavement support group designed for anyone navigating the loss of a child, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or child loss.

Holding flower

 

Support & Prevention

If you recently suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, after birth or up to the first year of life, the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program of Thurston County would like to extend our deepest sympathy. Your experiences are unique to you and your family. Sharing your story can provide vital information about your experiences with registered nurses that would otherwise never be known. The Thurston County FIMR team would like to hear your story and support you in your journey. By sharing your experience, you can help improve future pregnancy outcomes and infants lives in the community.

Share Your Story

Why Should I Share my Story? 

Your story will help create changes in community services such as:

  • Increase awareness about infant loss through education
  • Improve healthcare systems
  • Policy changes
  • Creates helpful resources for patients and families
woman sitting on edge of bed drinking out of cup

We want all babies to sleep safely. Each year, more than 3,500 U.S. infants die suddenly and unexpectedly. Many of these deaths occur in an unsafe sleep environment. The tools and information below follow the American Academy of Pediatrics 2022 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment 

The ABCs of Safe Sleep 

We want all families to follow the ABCs of infant safe sleep: alone, on the back, in a crib or Pack ‘n Play®, and in a smoke-free environment. Intended for parents and families with infants, this video provides an overview of safe sleep best practices from the perspective of a new mom.

Resources 

We want all pregnant people to feel empowered to notice changes in their baby’s movement. Each year, thousands of babies in the U.S. are stillborn, and decreased fetal movement can be an early warning sign. Monitoring fetal movement through the Count the Kicks program is an evidence-based way to support healthy pregnancies and help identify concerns earlier.

Learn more at Count the Kicks

Count the Kicks Graphic - Time Count Pattern Contact

 

How It Works

Count the Kicks is a simple, free program that helps pregnant people track their baby’s movements starting around 28 weeks of pregnancy. By counting how long it takes to feel 10 movements each day, families can learn what is normal for their baby and recognize changes that may need medical attention.

Resources 

• Count the Kicks Official Website 
• Free Count the Kicks Mobile App (iOS & Android)
• Printable Count the Kicks Counting Chart (PDF)

Educational Materials 

• How to Count Your Baby’s Kicks
• When to Call Your Health Care Provider
• Spanish Count the Kicks Handout

If you have questions or concerns about fetal movement, contact your prenatal care provider right away.

The letters in PURPLE stand for…

  • Peak of crying. Your baby may cry more each week, the most in month 2, then less in months 3–5.
  • Unexpected. Crying can come and go and you don't know why.
  • Resists soothing. Your baby may not stop crying no matter what you try.
  • Pain-like face. A crying baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not.
  • Long-lasting. Crying can last as much as 5 hours a day, or more.
  • Evening. Your baby may cry more in the late afternoon and evening.

The word “period” means that the crying has a beginning and an end.

If you are worried something is wrong with your baby, check with your doctor.

The letters in Purple acronym and what they stand for

Resources

Educational Materials 

Helping Grieving Families

Here are a few tools and resources to help take care of yourself and your family during your journey of grief.

Fetal and Infant Death Data

Fetal and infant death data provide key information about maternal and infant health. They are important factors in understanding a population’s overall health. Data on fetal and infant deaths help us track and understand health trends. The data highlight inequities that exist by geography, social and environmental exposures, and demographics, especially race and ethnicity. The data on fetal and infant deaths help us discover and evaluate preventive strategies to improve maternal and infant health.

Please contact us at (360)-789-7718 or email PHSS_FIMR@co.thurston.wa.us for general inquiries. This email is not monitored 24/7. Please do not disclose any personal health information, as this email is not HIPAA compliant.