Research

Research on stillbirth, newborn death and perinatal loss

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.

Improving the Quality and Care for Multiple Birth Families when Bereavement Occurs.

Are you a 'multiple birth' bereaved parent? You may wish to take part in a research project aimed at assisting families by educating health professionals...  

Lynne Schulz, Australian author and founder/coordinator of Murraylands Twin Loss (see the website www.murraylandstwinloss.org.au), along with her team from NSW, South Australia and Canada, are hoping to undertake further research into the needs of multiple birth bereft parents and families. This information will be used to create a 'how to' help booklet for health care professionals.

If you would like to take part in this valuable research and would like a questionnaire sent to you, or if you have any questions - please email Karen Jefferson of Bereavement Support Services, a provider for the Chch Multiple Birth Club, on Bereavementsupport@xtra.co.nz

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