Tag: stillbirth claims against a hospital

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Risk of Stillbirth Increases Towards the End of Pregnancy

Stillbirth

According to a recent article in the BMJ, following an analysis of more than 15 million pregnancies, the risk of stillbirth increases with every week that a pregnancy continues past 37 weeks.

In addition, it was found that here was a small but increased risk of stillbirth in mothers who continued their pregnancy to 41 weeks’ gestation.

Researchers noted that women who carry till 41 weeks gestation should not be alarmed. The increased risk of stillbirth is very low.

A third of the 3,000 babies a year who are stillborn are term babies. This is a very sad fact.

Ethnicity

The study further revealed that black women are 1.5 to 2 times more likely to suffer stillbirth regardless of the gestation that they carry to.

Neonatal Death

It’s interesting that the study did not find any correlation between gestation and an increase in neonatal death. Despite the increased risk of stillbirth, delivery between 38 and 41 weeks did not appear to increase the risk of neonatal death. However, according to the study, a risk increased by 87 per cent for deliveries at 42 weeks’gestation compared to 41 weeks.

Data Reviewed

The study was led by Queen Mary University of London. and looked at the data of studies carried out in the UK, US, Denmark and Norway. This included a total of 15,124,027 pregnancies, 17,830 stillbirths and 2,348 newborn deaths.

Opinion

The results of the study should enable women to make a better informed choice about the timing of their delivery. This is so important. Women need to be given as much information as possible about the risks:benefits ratio so that they can make the right decision for themselves.

If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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New Scheme to Help Bereaved Parents with Funeral Costs

It was very touching to read in the independent about a new Government scheme. Parents who lose children (to include stillborn babies) are to be given up to £2,000 to help with funeral costs.

To lose a baby or child and then not have the money to bury them must add unnecessary anxiety to what is already a horrendous situation. I cannot imagine it.

According to the Independent, the Children’s Funeral Fund aims to reduce the financial burden for families by reimbursing burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors directly.

The fund will be available regardless of the family’s income, and will also include a contribution of £300 towards the cost of a coffin.

The fund is due to come into effect this month.

A really great initiative the benefit of which will sadly be felt by too many.

If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For more information see https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/child-funeral-costs-bereaved-parents-help-theresa-may-carolyn-harris-a8982071.html

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Stillbirth Rate in Hertfordshire Below the National Average

An article in the Welyn Hatfield Times revealed that the stillbirth rate in Hertfordshire was below the national average.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the rate of stillbirth in Hertfordshire increased by less than 0.1%.

It was reported that Hertfordshire moved from 3.5% in 2016, to 3.6% in 2017 per 1,000 births.

According to the article, the national trend in England and Wales was 3.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2016 move to 3.9 in 2017.

It states that it should be noted that due to live births and infant deaths, both in real number decreasing, the proportion of rates actually went up in England and Wales in 2017.

NHS East and North Hertfordshire Care Commissioning Group, told the website that published the article that it wants to raise awareness of stillbirths.

This is vitally important and is part of the NHS plan to tackle the rate of stillbirths. However, the reality is that our stillbirth rates are still unacceptably high for a developed country.

It’s comforting to see that steps are being taken to address this and i’m keeping everything crossed that the passage of time beings with it a reduction in our stillbirth rate.

If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.

To access the full article please see https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/herts-stillbirths-below-average-1-6114894

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Raising Awareness of Stillbirth and Baby Loss at a Hospital at Hull

More really positive news in the world of stillbirth and baby loss.

A genuine and sincere well done to Hull Women and Children’s Hospital! On 7 June, specialist midwives will remember the precious babies who were taken too soon.

With the help of the charity, Count the Kicks, the first Rainbow Baby Day is being organised to support families who have lost a baby following a miscarriage, stillbirth or death shortly after birth (neonatal death) and who go on to have another child.

According to an article featured in Hull Live, a rainbow banner will be placed in the foyer of the hospital to raise awareness.

Sarah Green, specialist midwife was interviewed by Hull Live and she said that

She said: “Women who have lost a baby before are understandably anxious when they find out they are pregnant again and come back to us.

“To help them, we give them a special wooden rainbow plaque funded by Sands which can be attached to the outside of their door to show staff their new baby is not their first.

“While some women are happy to talk about the baby they have lost, others find it difficult and this stops them having to explain over and over again that this isn’t their first baby”.

What is a rainbow baby?

A rainbow baby is a baby born following the loss of another baby. It is called a rainbow baby because it is like a rainbow after a storm, or after a dark and turbulent time.

For more information please see https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/rainbow-baby-day-marked-hull-2940888

This is the second well done to Hull Women and Children’s hospital! According to the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust website, the Trust have reduced stillbirth by 36 per cent from 25 in 2016/17 to 14 so far in 2018/2019 and I have written a blog about this previously https://stillbirthclaims.com/reduction-in-stillbirths-rates-at-hospital-in-hull/

I think this is initiative a such a thoughtful one. It costs very little. It would provide huge comfort to bereaved parents and anything that helps to break the taboo that surrounds stillbirth and neonatal death should be applauded.

I speak firsthand when I say that I know how difficult it is to be pregnant and to give birth after stillbirth. It is akin to mental torture. Naivety and innocence replaced with fear and anxiety. I have never met a bereaved mother who hasn’t found their subsequent pregnancy difficult.

I am very blessed to have gone onto have three rainbow babies. I have experienced one of the the worst outcomes of pregnancy but also the best and for that I feel extremely privileged.

Well done again Hull Women and Children’s hospital. I hope you set a trend and that the idea is taken up by other NHS Trusts throughout the country.

If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Midwives Show Support of Bereavement Care Project

The National Bereavement Care Pathway (“NBCP”) are seeking to improve the quality and consistency of bereavement care in NHS trusts following a stillbirth or neonatal death or other baby loss.

Please see my previous post https://stillbirthclaims.com/improving-the-quality-of-care-after-a-stillbirth-or-neonatal-death/

Whilst midwives support this initiative, they have asked for funding for training. This is a fair enough demand. The benefit of the NBCP won’t be maximised unless the health professionals running it are taught how to best offer care.

The pilot project was first introduced across 11 trusts in 2017. It has the aim of helping to ensure bereaved parents are supported in the best way possible. It also aims to end the current postcode lottery facing parents and families of stillborn babies and those who die shortly after birth (neo-natal death).

It is now intended that the project is rolled out throughout all Trusts in England.

An article in the Nursing Times states that the Royal College of Midwives said it supported the call for the pathway’s roll out, but also asked the government to help fund ongoing bereavement training and education for midwives.

Education advisor at the RCM, Gail Johnson, said: “It is clear that this pathway works, and midwives and maternity support workers also appreciate the support this gives them to provide better care for bereaved families. We support the call for this to be introduced in NHS trusts across the country.

“We would like to see the government and trusts investing in this to ensure all parents get the support they need, and to fund ongoing education and training for midwives and their colleagues,” she said.

For more information see https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/policies-and-guidance/midwives-support-call-to-roll-out-baby-bereavement-pathway/7028922.article

If you or a loved one would like to discuss a stillbirth compensation claim or neonatal death compensation claim, please do not hesitate to contact us.