This is a logo of the Ohio Study of Associated Risks of Stillbirth (Ohio SOARS) and features the word SOARS in capital letters accented by a flying purple bird directly above..

​​Ohio Study of Associated Risks of Stillbirth (Ohio SOARS)​​

Focus: Maternal, Infant, and Family Health
Expertise: Data Engineering and Solutions

Purpose:

The Ohio Study of Associated Risks of Stillbirth (Ohio SOARS) is a statewide, population-based survey designed to collect information on maternal experiences and behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy among individuals who experienced a stillbirth in Ohio.

The Ohio SOARS will provide critical, timely population-based data to better understand the risks of stillbirth and to measure progress towards goals in reducing the rates of stillbirth in Ohio. The questionnaire includes topics such as life experiences before and during pregnancy, social support and stress, services and medical tests offered in hospitals after a stillborn delivery, substance use, and grief and bereavement support. The study seeks to collect data not available in medical records or on fetal death certificates. Individuals are contacted to complete the survey approximately 2-6 months after a reported loss and can participate by completing a paper survey delivered via mail or online survey.

Data collection for the 2020-2024 Ohio SOARS surveys is complete. The 2025 Ohio SOARS is currently being fielded by OSU GRC.
 

Sponsors:

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (Ohio DCY) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) funded the 2020-2023 Ohio SOARS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation funded the 2024-2025 Ohio SOARS.
 

Data Collection:

Since 2020, over 668 mothers have completed the Ohio SOARS survey. Here are some things moms are saying about Ohio SOARS:

After my son was stillborn after 35 weeks I felt completely helpless and alone. The SOARS survey allowed me to honor my son. I was able to share our experience in a way that will help others. I can't think of a better legacy for my son.

 

My son Samuel was born sleeping at 33 weeks. We had a lot of questions and few answers. I can't change what happened, but I can help the world understand stillbirth a little more. Parents can share their stories through SOARS to help connect the dots we never knew were there. If I can help prevent another mom's pain and save a precious baby's life, count me in!

 

My son Qasem was born still at 37 weeks. I had a perfect pregnancy and was blissfully ignorant about stillbirth. Our world and everything we had hoped for was shattered. I can't change what happened, but I take comfort in knowing the information that I provided to SOARS will help better understand stillbirth. If we can have the strength to survive the unsurvivable, then we have the strength to share our experiences to help move Ohio forward.

Thank you for all you do, it means a lot.

 

Questions? Please contact the Ohio SOARS Team at 614-366-9851.  

Resources

Ohio SOARS Advisory Committee

The Ohio SOARS Advisory Committee is comprised of individuals with lived experience, neonatologists, pediatricians, government agencies, and nonprofits who share their expertise to ensure that the Ohio SOARS survey and associated materials address the goals of the survey in a trauma-informed way. Please see below for a list of advisory committee member organizations. If you are interested in joining the advisory committee, please contact Gabby Glenn at gabrielle.glenn@osumc.edu.

 

 

Mothers and families who have experienced a loss including Katie Keucher, Meredith White, David and Katherine Corvi and many others.