17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK

• One baby in every 200 is stillborn in the UK
• One baby in every 300 dies within four weeks of life, the majority within the first few days.
• Every year 6,500 babies die before or shortly after birth (4,000 are stillborn and another 2,500 die within a month of birth)
• Stillbirth rates have remained the same for the last ten years
• Stillbirths are ten times more common than cot death
• Down Syndrome affects 1:250 births compared to the higher ratio for stillbirth
• The risk of stillbirth is increased to 1:137 if the mother is over 40 years with a first time pregnancy and is over 37 weeks gestation.
• Other high risk groups are; teenagers, obese (BMI greater 30), black or Asian ethnic groups, those with medical disorders; such as diabetes, thyroid problems, lupas, renal disorders, smokers.
• Those socially deprived have a 1.7 times greater chance of stillbirth
• 40% of stillbirths happen in first pregnancies
• The risk of stillbirth is 3 times higher for multiple pregnancies compared to singleton pregnancies
• A previous still birth or growth restriction is associated with an increased risk in subsequent pregnancies
• Post term greater than 41 weeks gestation has a higher probability of stillbirth
• In 50% of stillbirths the baby is normally formed and dies apparently for no reason; the majority of these deaths are in ‘low-risk' pregnancies.
• Poor growth affects over ½ of all stillbirths and 2/3 of unexplained stillbirths
• Suboptimal antenatal care plays a role in many stillbirths because the maternity services are under resourced. Over 50% of NHS clinical negligence claims are maternity related.
• Sick and vulnerable babies are not getting the one-to-one care they deserve in neonatal units. Units are understaffed and over stretched
• A serious lack of direct funding for scientific research to understand and prevent stillbirths is holding back progress that could be made in reducing the numbers of deaths.
• Comparing the mortality figures to other causes of death such as road traffic accidents. These kill around 3,000 each year, and we are horrified and want something done, yet twice as many babies are die.
• In the UK 50-60% of stillbirths are classified unexplained, the other common causes are: placental problems, congenital abnormalities, intrapartum causes, maternal disorders, pre-eclampsia and infections