Promoting research

Sands is working to promote research and improvements in practice which could save more babies' lives. 

In the UK, in every 100 live births, 1 pregnancy results in the stillbirth or death of a baby in the early weeks of life. We believe this number of deaths is too high, and that more can and should be done to reduce this loss of life.

Though sadly many stillbirths and early deaths are unavoidable, there is evidence that a significant number of stillbirths and perinatal deaths could potentially be prevented.

We want to ensure that as few babies as possible die and that parents are spared the pain and grief which follows a baby's death.

We want to see:

• More research into the medical conditions causing stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

In particular we want to see research into the cases where no cause of a baby's death is found. This circumstance applies to over 50% of all stillbirths.

• Improvements in antenatal care, particularly in monitoring of babies during pregnancy.

Failure to identify many pregnancies where the baby is at risk is leading to unnecessary deaths. Simple and effective methods of detecting high risk pregnancies are needed so that appropriate action can be taken to protect babies whose lives could be saved.

• Better resourcing of maternity services, in particular improved staffing levels for midwives and consultants.

Poor staffing levels lead to greater risk for mothers and babies, during pregnancy and labour.