One of Sands New Zealand's goals is to promote research into the causes and consequences of stillbirth, newborn death or other reproductive loss.
Through this page we want to let you know about research that is being undertaken both in New Zealand and internationally.
The Auckland Stillbirth Study (TASS)
The death of a baby before birth is a tragedy. For every 1000 babies born in New Zealand, eight will be stillborn. The Auckland Stillbirth Study, or TASS, is a three-year case control study that is exploring the causes risk factors of late stillbirth (those that occur in the third trimester) in Auckland. There is often no medical explanation for these deaths. As well examining known risk factors for stillbirth, it will also explore environmental and lifestyle factors that have not previously been investigated.
We started recruiting for the study in July 2006 and we will finish recruiting in June 2009, currently we have interviewed more than 90 women who have experienced a third trimester stillbirth. A big thank you to all those who have agreed to take part in this study, with your help we hope to understand a little better why this tragic event occurs and reduce the chances of it happening in the future. The study is funded by Cure Kids www.curekids.org.nz and the Nurture Foundation www.nurture.org.nz
Study coordinator: Tomasina Stacey. Co-investigators: Associate Professor Lesley McCowan, Professor Ed Mitchell, Dr John Thompson, Dr Jane Zuccollo, Dr Alec Ekeroma
For information about this study - contact Tomasina Stacey on 021-2971906 or by email t.stacey@auckland.ac.nz
International Stillbirth Research Alert
The Stillbirth Research Alert is a collaborative activity of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA) and the Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance (ANZSA). The aim of this alert is to provide plain language summaries of recent key papers on stillbirth.
www.stillbirthalliance.org/doc/ISA_Research_Alert_1.html
Can You Help?
Upcoming Events
Coronation Street stillbirth storyline
In late April- early May, Coronation St aired episodes in the UK that included a stillbirth experienced by one of their central characters. In the UK, ITV and Sands UK worked together to ensure that contact details for support and information followed each episode. We are hoping to provide similar local information when the episodes are aired here in NZ.
Baby Loss Awareness Week 9-15 October 2008
We will be posting details of activites taking place around the country During Baby Loss Awareness Week - so watch this space!