Scots take the lead in stillbirth campaign

Scotland is leading a world-first study (AFFIRM) to find out whether increasing attention to the movement of babies in the womb could help reduce stillbirths.

In recent months, many health boards have started raising awareness of the importance of monitoring any changes in foetal movements to try to combat deaths in babies before they are born.

Now some are taking part in a major study, led by researchers in Edinburgh and funded by the Scottish Government, to offer training on foetal movements to health staff and pregnant women, which encourage them to seek immediate attention if they notice a decline in activity.

These women are then offered a set course of checks and monitoring of their babies. In some cases babies might be delivered early to help avoid stillbirth.

The rate of stillbirths in Scotland is at a record low, but still around one in 200 babies a year falls victim.

The Scottish Patient Safety Programme has announced a new focus on maternity issues, with a commitment to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths by 15 per cent by 2015.