NHS England Reveals New Guidelines to Curb High Stillbirth Rate

In an effort to curb growing stillbirth rates in England, the National Health Services (NHS) has launched a set of guidelines for the very first time in the country.

England has the worst record of stillbirths with one in every 200 babies stillborn and a 25% variation in stillbirth rates across the country. There are currently around 665,000 babies born in England each year and more than 3,000 stillbirths.

‘NHS releases Saving Babies' Lives advisory for tackling raising stillbirth rates in England.’

Therefore, the guidelines may help doctors, midwives and parents in monitoring pregnant women effectively. The Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle focuses on,

• Avoiding smoking during pregnancy
• Increasing awareness on monitoring baby's movements
• Ensuring proper monitoring of the fetus during labor

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said, "NHS maternity care is now the safest it's ever been, and most mums say they're cared for brilliantly. But that makes it all the more tragic and heart wrenching when for a small number of families something goes terribly wrong."

"We could however cut the chances of this happening if all pregnant mums were encouraged to quit smoking, if proper monitoring takes place during pregnancy, and if maternity providers listen carefully when pregnant women report worries about their baby's movements."

An information and advice leaflet about reduced fetal movement will also be given to women during 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Source: Medindia