Report critical of UK’s high stillborn rate

New statistics published today demonstrate the high stillbirth rates in the UK, placing them 33rd out of a list of 193 countries. The only comparably wealthy nations below the UK on the list are France and Austria.

RCM director of Learning Research and Practice Development Frances Day–Stirk commented: “A number of stillbirths are avoidable if risk factors are identified and treated appropriately. The global  challenge is in ensuring that midwives, doctors and health workers are aware of preventable  risks and minimise these risks, so that every effort is made to provide interventions; for example, the screening and treatment of infection.”

The research indicates that stillbirth, defined as death at birth after eight weeks gestation or more, occurred at a rate of 3.5 per 1,000 births in 2009 in the UK.

Although stillbirth is decreasing, other countries have shown faster progress in lowering rates.

Dr Richard Horton, the editor-in-chief of the Lancet, which published the research, stated: “Almost three million stillbirths happen worldwide every year, which, even for a country with a developed health system such as the UK, means that 11 sets of parents every day will take home their newborn baby in a coffin.”

Some causes of stillbirth have been identified; including problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, infections and congenital abnormalities. Risk factors such as smoking, drinking or being overweight during pregnancy can also contribute.