Shaping healthcare guidelines to prevent and reduce stillbirths
12 May 2022
Our research into pregnancy risk factors has influenced UK and international health policy, helping educate parents and save lives
![Baby in womb graphic](https://newsadmin.manchester.ac.uk/newsimages/563/28187_large.jpg)
Research conducted here at Manchester into risk factors associated with stillbirths has influenced UK and international health policy, helping to educate parents and save lives.
This includes:
- Identifying and managing stillbirth risk factors with findings used in the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle; between 2015 and 2017 the number of stillbirths reduced by 20% in the 19 NHS Trusts where the care bundle was adopted.
- Researchers working with NHS England and Tommy’s Baby Charity to improve both parental awareness and the clinical care required to prevent stillbirths.
- Sharing our findings with healthcare providers across the world, which was critical to the development of the Australian Safer Baby Bundle. Initial evaluation showed that the bundle was associated with a 27% reduction in stillbirths in 21 maternity services in the state of Victoria.
- Creating the Rainbow Clinic in Manchester in 2013 to provide care for families. By 2021, the centre had treated more than 900 families. A 2016 review showed that Rainbow Clinic care helped to reduce preterm birth by 11% and low birth weight by 9%.
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