“Before a Breath” Documentary Trailer Premiere: A Story of Loss, Hope, and Change

ProPublica’s upcoming feature documentary, “Before A Breath,” directed by Nadia Sussman, is set to premiere on YouTube on Thursday, March 20th at 8 p.m. Eastern time. The film tells the poignant and inspiring story of three mothers who have tragically lost children to stillbirth and are now dedicated to making pregnancy safer for others. In the United States alone, over 20,000 stillbirths occur each year, with a significant portion of these losses potentially preventable.

The documentary follows the journeys of Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, Kanika Harris, and Stephanie Lee, each grappling with the devastating aftermath of stillbirth in their own unique ways. Debbie, after the loss of her daughter, advocates for the SHINE for Autumn Act in Washington. Kanika, a maternal health advocate, trains a new generation of Black birth workers while sharing the story of her own twins lost to stillbirth. Stephanie, a nurse administrator, seeks answers about her daughter’s stillbirth and prepares to give birth again under specialized care at the Rainbow Clinic at Mount Sinai.

Inspired by Duaa Eldeib’s impactful reporting on stillbirth, the film sheds light on a topic often shrouded in silence. “Before A Breath” is a production of ProPublica, executive-produced by Almudena Toral, and produced by Sussman, Lisa Riordan Seville, and Liz Moughon. The film’s editing was done by Margaret Cheatham Williams and Mahdokht Mahmoudabadi.

Following its YouTube premiere, “Before A Breath” will be available for streaming on ProPublica’s YouTube channel, as well as on The WNET Group’s platforms. Additionally, there will be free public screenings of the film at various venues across the country.

For those interested in delving deeper into the issues raised in the documentary, a panel discussion with the filmmakers and main participants is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2nd at 4 p.m. Eastern time. This discussion will provide a platform for sharing powerful insights and experiences surrounding the stillbirth crisis, featuring Duaa Eldeib, Nadia Sussman, Kanika Harris, Stephanie Lee, Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya, and Dr. Joanne Stone.

“Before A Breath” promises to be a moving and informative exploration of a critical issue affecting families across the country, offering hope for a future where pregnancy is safer for all.