Sands’ response to research by the University of Aberdeen that women who have had a stillbirth are four times more likely to experience a stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy.

Janet Scott, Research and Prevention Lead at Sands said:

“The death of a baby is a cruel and devastating loss. Any mum whose baby has died in pregnancy will already feel extremely anxious in a subsequent pregnancy, and sadly this new study makes clear that she may indeed be at a higher risk of it happening again. With around 3,300 stillbirths a year in the UK this affects a significant number of women. It is vital therefore that these women receive additional, personalised  care in their next  pregnancies with close monitoring and prompt action if any sign of distress is picked up. Women need the reassurance that everything possible is being done to avoid this terrible tragedy recurring.

“Many units across the country offer excellent care to women in a pregnancy following a stillbirth, some with specialised clinics, but this is not the case everywhere.

“We welcome this important piece of research with its powerful analysis of a very large number of women who’ve experienced a stillbirth. This robust evidence adds to our call for all women to be able to access high-quality pregnancy care, tailored to their individual needs, wherever they are in the country.”  

Ends

Notes to editor:

Research: Recurrence risk of unexplained stillbirth: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal title: The BMJ

Link to research: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.h3080



Author contact: Sohinee Bhattacharya, lecturer, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. 





Editorial: Protecting families from recurrent stillbirth

Journal title: The BMJ

Link to editorial: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.h3262



Author contact: Alexander E P Heazell, senior clinical lecturer in obstetrics and clinical director, St Mary’s Hospital, University of Manchester, UK.