Review to probe region’s higher stillbirths rate

Latest figures show there were 5.7 stillbirths in Yorkshire in 2011 for every 1,000 births, significantly higher than the English average of 5.2 per 1,000 births.

The tragedies have been linked to a number of factors including babies suffering growth restrictions, maternal obesity, and smoking during pregnancy although for the majority there is no clear cause.

Now officials are launching a regional review of stillbirths in a project designed to reduce rates which have remained the same since 2006 both in Yorkshire and across the country.

Figures show there are significant variations in stillbirth rates in the region. According to the latest Local Supervising Authority report covering midwifery activities, rates ranged from 8.0 per 1,000 births in 2011-12 at the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to 2.8 per 1,000 births at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

A report to regional health chiefs says efforts to cut stillbirths have already focused on checks on foetal growth, monitoring and intervention in post-term pregnancies and improvements in the quality of care for pre-existing medical disorders.

The review is set to build on the work and will audit stillbirths for their causes and preventability.

Paul Johnstone, NHS regional director of public health, said: “The death of a baby around the time of delivery is a tragedy for families.

“There are many factors which can lead to these baby deaths such as deprivation, ethnicity, maternal age, obesity and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol and drug use and much is being done across Yorkshire and the Humber to understand and improve this.

“In particular, work has focused on the early identification of factors which can lead to stillbirth and improving the quality of care for those most at risk as well as trusts across the region improving their auditing procedures which has enhanced our understanding of these factors.

“Early access to good care through pregnancy and labour is essential so we urge women to see their midwife or GP as soon as possible when they fall pregnant to ensure early booking with their midwife and make sure they attend regular check-ups.

“We also encourage all women to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle before and during pregnancy, including eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking or drinking alcohol and being immunised against flu.”

The report said reviews into midwifery practice were already being carried out following clusters of stillbirths.

One was carried out at the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS trust in February last year after 14 stillbirths, prompting recommendations for better education and assessment of midwifery practice, improved document and record-keeping as well as the introduction of foetal growth charts.

A second review was carried out in Bradford last May. Some 25 cases were examined with recommendations for better education and assessment of midwifery practice and improvements to procedures for requesting ultrasound scans.

Despite low rates of stillbirths, another review was carried out at Scarborough’s hospital following a cluster of four stillbirths leading to changes in the way serious incidents are examined.

Another review is being carried out at the Wakefield-based Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and follow-up checks are under way at the Northern Lincolnshire and Bradford trusts.

Evidence suggests rates of stillbirth have remained higher in the UK than other Western countries. One fifth are believed to be due to growth restrictions linked to smoking and obesity.