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Preventing stillbirth

Stillbirth is when a baby dies before it is born. In the ACT, approximately 7 out of 1000 pregnancies end in a stillbirth.

The Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence created the Safer Baby Bundle, which aims to reduce stillbirth in the final trimester by 20%.

This means that we may prevent 2 stillborn babies a year in the ACT by using the 5 key areas within the Safer Baby Bundle.

  • stopping smoking
  • your baby's growth
  • your baby's movement
  • sleeping on your side
  • the timing of your baby's birth.

Watch the Safer Baby Bundle's how to have a safer pregnancy video.

Stopping smoking

Smoking in pregnancy is one of the largest avoidable causes of stillbirth and serious adverse pregnancy outcomes.

There is no safe amount of smoking, every puff on a cigarette has an immediate effect on your unborn baby. Carbon monoxide from smoking has replaces some of the oxygen in your blood, which then reduces the amount of oxygen going to the baby through the umbilical cord. Smoking also affects how the placenta is formed, reducing nutrients passed onto the baby.

Find out more:

Your baby's growth

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is best defined as a baby who has not reached its growth potential and is growing slower than expected.

This can be monitored by taking fundal height measurements at your antenatal appointments. Your care provider can track your baby’s growth at each antenatal visit from 24 weeks pregnant by measuring this fundal height with a measuring tape. It is important to note that fundal height measurements cannot diagnose or predict the size of your baby.

Rather it is used as method to assess approximate growth over time and may vary from clinician to clinician. Your health care provider and will talk with you about what next steps are recommended if they are concerned about the growth of your baby.

If the baby is growing slower than expected, your health professional may recommend additional ultrasounds during your pregnancy.

Find out more:

For information for health professionals, go to Reducing stillbirth: Safer Baby Bundle.

Your baby's movement

Many women start to feel their babies move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, regardless of where your placenta lies. These early movements are often described as flutters or butterflies. As pregnancy continues, you should start to recognise that your baby has their own unique pattern of movements. You should get to know your baby’s movements and what is normal for them.

It is a misconception that fetal movements decrease in late pregnancy. While baby’s have longer period of activity and rest in later pregnancy, movements should be felt right up until the baby is born. A change or reduction in your baby’s movements could be a sign that your baby may be unwell.

Trying to stimulate you baby through eating or drinking is not recommended and can delay you in seeking professional help.

If you feel that your baby’s movement pattern has changed or slowed, contact your care provider immediately.

Find out more:

Sleeping on your side

If you lie on your back in the final trimester of pregnancy, the weight of your pregnant uterus presses on your major blood vessels and can decrease the blood flow to your baby. The risk of stillbirth reduces by going to sleep on your side from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

It doesn’t matter what side you lie on.

If you wake up on your back, don’t worry. It is normal to change sleep positions throughout the night. The important thing is that you start every sleep on your side and roll over if you wake up on your back.

Read more on side sleeping on the Stillbirth Centre of Excellence Research website.

Timing of birth

The estimated date of birth of a baby is usually calculated as 40 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. Although sometimes this estimated date is calculated based on the earliest ultrasound scan.

In most pregnancies it is best for labour to start on it own. However, there may be situations where your health care professional may discuss and recommend an earlier birth through induction of labour or, if necessary, a caesarean section. This may be due to concerns with the health of your baby, or yourself.

The recommendation for induced birth must be weighed against the risks of intervention, and respects your choices, autonomy, and individual care needs.

While preventing stillbirth may be an aim of ending pregnancy early, there are associated short and longer terms morbidities and developmental consequences for the baby who is born too early and an increased risk of maternal complications.

If there are concerns that may increase the risk of stillbirth, indicating increased monitoring or induction, health care professionals should discuss how these may impact labour, birth, and outcomes, and support your decision.

Continuity of care

Continuity of care is a term given to care that is provided over the full length of your pregnancy and early postpartum journey by the same known professional. Continuity of care, especially midwifery continuity of care, is associated with lower rates of preterm birth, stillbirth and birth interventions. It is also associated with greater positive health outcomes and women reporting greater satisfaction.

Increasing access to Midwifery Continuity of Care and reducing overall fragmentation of maternity care is a recommendation of the Safer Baby Bundle.
The ACT Government is committed to over 50% of pregnant people being provided access to this model of care by 2028, as part of the Maternity in Focus System Plan.

Find out more about Maternity in Focus.

This page is managed by: ACT Health Directorate