Stillbirth, the birth of a dead baby after 24 completed weeks gestation, can be devastating for the mother, father, siblings and wider family involved. It has long-term implications for both parents’ psychological health and wellbeing – depression and grief can last for years after the birth, while stigma, social taboos and economic implications may complicate the grieving process.
This module will explore stillbirth rates and risk factors at a local, national and international level. It will highlight work being undertaken both internationally and in the UK to reduce the stillbirth rate, as well as exploring examples of best practice. Midwives completing this module will be prepared to take their learning into their working lives, to improve stillbirth prevention and care wherever they practise.
On completion of this i-learn module on Saving Babies' Lives, you will be able to:
- define stillbirth
- reflect on the effects of stillbirth on parents, families, the maternity care team and the wider community
- identify key risk factors for stillbirth and explore how these can be reduced
- discuss the UK stillbirth rate in the context of developed countries
- understand the wider context of global stillbirth rates
- research your local unit’s stillbirth rate and compare this with national statistics
- understand and describe the current evidence-based guidance on reducing stillbirth
- identify examples of best practice in stillbirth reduction
- reflect on your learning, and consider how to introduce this into your practice area
This course contains several videos of 1 to 5 minutes in length plus audio resources which can be played or downloaded with transcripts available.
Study time: 1 hour
Original content: October 2017