University of Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence
We provide respectful, compassionate care for families who experience the tragedy of stillbirth. Join us in the fight to end preventable stillbirths.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to be the most comprehensive center of excellence for stillbirth in the United States. We aim to be a national and global leader in the fight to end preventable stillbirths. As an academic medical center, we deliver excellence in clinical care, research, and bereavement support. Our vision is to provide encompassing, respectful, compassionate care for families who suffer from stillbirth pregnancy loss. The University of Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence is an approved University of Utah Academic Center.
Six Cores of Utah Stillbirth Center
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Clinical Care
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Bereavement Support
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Education
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Advocacy
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Research
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Justice and Community Engagement
Stillbirth Rates & Improving Stillbirth Support
The Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence works in partnership with many individuals and organizations to strive toward these ambitious yet critical aims by 2035.
- Cut the US stillbirth rate in half
- Cut racial disparities in US stillbirth rates in half
- Double the proportion of affected US families receiving bereavement support
- Ensure at least 75% of US stillbirths undergo a comprehensive perinatal audit and complete evaluation for potential causes
- Bring stillbirth permanently out of the shadows through changing cultural norms
- Establish the US as a global leader in stillbirth prevention, support, and research
- Make significant improvements to stillbirth rates in low-income and high-income settings worldwide
Utah Pregnancy After Loss (UPAL) Program Care
The Utah Pregnancy After Loss (UPAL) Program provides care to families who have experienced the following:
- Stillbirth
- Newborn death
- Recurrent loss
- Termination for medical or obstetric reasons
- Pregnancies with serious complications
In addition to caring for families who are pregnant again after loss, we offer consultations with families who have recently suffered a pregnancy loss and want to discuss test results or plan for future pregnancies. In addition to offering mental health care, we are building a peer support program for families.
Thanks to Our Donors
"Fe and Chase are amazing parents to all their children, including their stillborn daughter Natalie for whom their Foundation is named. They are incredibly passionate about making things better for moms, babies and families, and we are beyond fortunate to have them as colleagues and friends. We are honored to work together for stillbirth prevention and care."
“We are proud supporters of the University of Utah, which is setting the standard nationally for prenatal clinical care and research in stillbirth prevention all at an amazing speed, with admirable passion and grit. The establishment of the Utah Stillbirth Center of Excellence addresses a dire need in our country and will establish the University as a national leader in perinatal care."
Team Spotlight
Astrid Littlewood has a BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington and a BS in Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Houston. She has been serving as a labor and delivery nurse since 2010, first at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas in Houston, coming to University of Utah Hospital in 2023. Her nursing career has been spent in the labor and delivery unit in both Texas and UHealth. Astrid is certified in electronic fetal monitoring and is a certified childbirth educator. She has been providing nursing care at the UPAL clinic since its launch in May 2024.
"As the primary RN leading our Pregnancy After Loss Clinic, Astrid has been instrumental in its successful launch. With her deep understanding of both inpatient and outpatient clinical care, combined with her creative mindset, she continues to introduce innovative ideas to enhance the care we provide to our community. From developing specialized care plans that address both physical and mental health needs to media interviews educating the public of the clinic, her approach is both compassionate and forward-thinking. Astrid’s leadership and creativity remain vital as the clinic continues to grow and evolve." - Stephanie Sanchez
"To have a nurse like Astrid makes this clinic very special. She brings years of experience to the clinic and comprehensive understanding of the entire pregnancy and delivery process as well as postpartum. Through her years of practice, she has developed skills that help her understand the goals of a clinic and pregnancy, while also practicing individualized care to each patient and what they need. She listens and loves individually to those who walk through the door, both patient and family, and serves a valuable resource for answering questions and supporting the patients & entire team in the Utah Pregnancy After Loss clinic." - Hillary Maxwell
"Astrid is a remarkable individual whose calm demeanor and resourcefulness make her an invaluable asset to the UPAL clinic. Her ability to think outside the box allows her to find innovative solutions to even the most challenging problems, which has come in very handy as we have “stood up” the details of the program. Astrid's kindness shines through in all her interactions, as she always prioritizes her patients' best interests. Her dedication to providing the highest level of care, combined with her creative approach to problem-solving, ensures that her patients receive not only the best medical treatment but also the compassion and understanding they deserve. Astrid truly embodies the qualities of an exceptional healthcare professional. We are so lucky to have her on the UPAL team!" - Brenda Gulliver
