Myth: Stillbirth can’t be prevented

Although not all stillbirths can be prevented, a substantial proportion are avoidable through evidence-based clinical care, public health strategies, and timely interventions (18).

Targeted stillbirth prevention care bundles in the UK and Australia covering public health, education and clinical practice have reduced stillbirth rates by 20% (19,20).

Public health campaigns inform people about healthier choices before and during pregnancy, such as taking folic acid, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, being aware of the baby's movements, and sleeping on their side (19,21).

Clinical guidelines and support systems help healthcare providers identify, manage, and discuss risk factors during pregnancy.

References

(18) Flenady V, Middleton P, Smith GC, Duke W, Erwich JJ, Khong TY, et al. Stillbirths: the way forward in high-income countries. The Lancet. 2011;377(9778):1703–17.

(19) Safer Care Victoria. Safer baby | Safer Care Victoria. 2021. Available from: https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/improvement/projects/safer-baby.

(20) Widdows K, Roberts S, Camacho S, Heazell A. Evaluation of the implementation of the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle in Early Adopter NHS Trusts in England. 2018. Available from: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SPiRE-evaluation.pdf.

(21) Escañuela Sánchez T, Matvienko-Sikar K, Greene RA, Byrne M, O’Donoghue K. Designing a behaviour change intervention to address the behavioural risk factors for stillbirth: A study protocol. HRB Open Research. 2023;6:35.