Stillbirth reduction strategy remains unproven, study finds

Further analysis suggested the intervention might prevent five stillbirths for every 10,000 babies born. The effects were too small to prove that the care package had been beneficial, however. The team say further research will be needed.

Study lead Professor Jane Norman, Director of the Edinburgh Tommy’s Centre at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The study was designed to detect an effect of 30 per cent or greater. The results suggest that if there is a beneficial effect, it is much smaller than this. It is not possible to say with certainty that the intervention has any effect on reducing rates of stillbirth.

“The research adds further evidence to suggest that being aware of baby movements may help to marginally reduce risks of stillbirth, but it is unlikely that this strategy alone will be reliable for monitoring the wellbeing of babies in the womb. Other interventions will likely be needed to reduce stillbirth rates worldwide.”

In the group that received the care package, more women were induced early and there were higher rates of caesarean section deliveries, the study found.

Researchers say an economic analysis of these data will help policy makers assess whether this approach might fit into a stillbirth reduction strategy.

Professor Alexander Heazell, co-investigator on the study, said: “There are a number of other ongoing fetal movement awareness studies. Results from the AFFIRM trial should be analysed in conjunction with those studies before recommendations can be made on wider implementation of this approach.”

An estimated 2.6 million babies are stillborn each year around the world. In the UK, around 1 in 200 pregnancies end in stillbirth, around 9 babies every day.

Up to a half of women whose pregnancy ends in stillbirth report reduced movements of their babies in the womb in the previous week.