little feet taking big steps ... to reduce stillbirth

The Stillbirth Foundation Australia is thrilled to reveal the research projects that it will be funding during 2012 totalling $259,460! The quality of the researchers and the design of these studies is truly excellent. We are very excited about these studies and truly believe that the findings will be of great benefit to further uncovering the mysteries of stillbirth. A brief lay description of each study is listed below:

"Information and communication about autopsy following stillbirth: meeting the needs of parents"
Chief Investigator: A/Prof Fran Boyle
Other Investigators: Vicki Flenady, Dell Horey, Belinda Jennings, Yee Khong, Trish Wilson, Ibinabo Ibiebele, David Elwood
Institute: University of Queensland
Synopsis of study: One of the most difficult decisions for parents faced with the overwhelming grief of their baby's death is whether to give consent for an autopsy examination. At present, little is know abotu the information and communication needs of parents at this time. This study seeks to gain a detailed understanding of parents' views and experiences related to autopsy decisions following stillbirth. In doing so, it will identify gaps in the provision of sensitive and responsive care and how these might be addressed so as to meet the needs of bereaved parents.

"Assessing the reporting of stillbirths in population data: trends and recurrence"
Chief Investigator: A/Prof Christine Roberts
Other Investigators: Samantha Lain, Jane Ford, Angela Todd, Jonathan Morris
Institute: Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales
Synopsis of Study: To link the information captured about stillbirths through several population-based datasets, the findings of which will potentially identify sub-groups of women at increased risk of stillbirth who might benefit from closer surveillance, identify risk factors for stillbirth that may be modifiable, help information policy and plan maternity care services to improve the management of at-risk pregnancies, identify ways to improve the collection of stillbirth data, and generate new research questions to better understand and prevent stillbirths in the future.

"Mifepristone and misoprostol compared with misoprostol alone for induction of labour following midtrimester fetal demise"
Chief Investigator: Dr Emma Allanson
Other Investigators: Jan Dickinson, Belinda Jennings
Institute: King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Western Australia
Synopsis of Study: The sequential combination of the antiprogesterone agent mifeprostone and the prostaglandin misoprostol is an established and effective method for second trimester pregnancy termination following diagnosis of a genetic absnormality (life fetus). Prior studies have demonstrated a signficant reduction in the duration of abortion with misoprostol when mifepristone is used. Interestingly, there is very limited published data on the use of mifepristone in combination with misoprostol for induction of mid trimester fetal demise. Currently, at King Edward Memorial Hospital, misoprostol alone is the most frequent method used for delivery in the presence of a deceased fetus. This is most likely due to the restricted access to mifepristone and the absence of high quality comparative data of its efficacy. The primary aim of this study is to compare the induction commencement to delivery interval between two regimens: misoprostol alone and in combination with mifepristone.

"Feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial for an intervention to reduce late pregnancy stillbirth"
Chief Investigator: Dr Camille Raynes-Greenow
Other Investigators: Adrienne Gordon, Jonathan Morris, Kevin McGeechan
Institute: University of Sydney, New South Wales
Synopsis of Study: In 2011 the results of a large case-ctonrol study were published and suggested that maternal sleep practices may be associated with stillbirth. There is some evidence to suggest that women are being told to adopt "safe sleeping practices" yet this has not been formally tested, and whether it truly reduces the risk is unknown. This project is a pilot study to assess the feasibility of a planned randomised control trial to test whether maternal sleep practices in late pregnancy is related to stillbirth.