Figures released from the office for national statistics have shown that last year saw the lowest number of stillbirths in Birmingham in 8 years.
The figures related to perinatal deaths which includes stillbirths and deaths of babies under 7 days old.
View an infographic here: https://infogram.com/birmingham-stillbirths-1h0n25d10xoz6pe?live
The number of stillbirths and deaths of babies under 7 days old, last year was 164 which shows a 19.5% decrease since 2016.
2015 saw the highest number of perinatal deaths, 199, which is 21.5% higher than last year’s figures.
Ryan Jackson, the Founder and Managing Director from Birmingham based charity, The Lily Mae Foundation said: “As a charity we are delighted that the figures for stillbirths has decreased in the west midlands, however, I believe it is the first time the West Midlands has fallen below the national average for stillbirth numbers.”
Ryan went on to say, “Medical staff are getting better at spotting babies potentially at risk.”
The Lily Mae Foundation is a charity which supports Parents and Families who have tragically and traumatically lost a baby to Stillbirth or to Neonatal Death.
The NHS have launched the Saving Babies Lives care bundle, which sets out four elements of care that are said to reduce the risk of having a stillbirth or neonatal death.
The four elements include:
1. Reducing smoking in pregnancy
2. Risk assessment and surveillance for foetal growth restriction
3. Raising awareness of reduced foetal movement
4. Effective foetal monitoring during labour
Speaking to us about her experience as a midwife, Barbara Aigne tells us how stillbirths have affected her: “As a community Midwife, I became part of the family for almost 10 months, both during pregnancy and after.
“When one of my families did not have the joy of bringing their precious baby home, for me it was an insurmountable sadness as I had seen the pregnancy progress, the promise of a new life, excitement and plans made.”
She goes on to share a personal experience: “I do remember having to help a couple go home after their baby being stillborn, I was on call and the couple wanted to take the baby home but as it was so soon after birth an ambulance was required to bring them home, I needed to support them and carry the baby. The baby, a little boy was in a bassinet, he was full term and perfect, his parents were devastated, as much as I tried, I couldn’t stop looking at this perfect baby and wishing he would just start breathing, he looked like he was sleeping, it was heart-breaking.”
Looking back at her career, Barbara shares a final note: “My first baby this month will be 36, I remember sitting on the floor in the bedroom waiting for her arrival at home over the Christmas time, the moment of her birth, feeling her head in my hands was indescribable, waiting for her first breath terrifying, to not have heard that I couldn’t imagine. Every birth was a miracle and to be part of that was a wonder, I always felt the excitement of the first heartbeat, the first movement it was a brilliant career, and to have been a Midwife gives me great pride.”
Sands group a national stillbirth and neonatal charity spoke to us about the figures: “It is of course good news that the number of stillbirths in Birmingham has fallen, however other similar countries’ stillbirth rates are falling much faster than the UK, so much more can and must be done.”
They went on to give advice to anyone who thinks they might be at risk: “If any woman has concerns that her baby’s movements have slowed down, stopped or changed, she should contact her midwife or maternity unit without delay.”
Figures are expected to continue to decrease year on year due to funding from charities, which allows for more research, support and prevention of stillbirths and neonatal death.
For more information on stillbirths visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/