The Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study - MiNESS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Midlands and North England Stillbirth Study - MiNESS
IRAS ID
106329
Contact name
Alexander Heazell
Contact email
Research summary
The United Kingdom has one of the highest rates of stillbirth in Europe, with more than 4,000 stillbirths every year; which equates to more than 11 deaths every day. Furthermore, this rate has changed very little over the last 20 years. This loss of life and the adverse psychological consequences urgently needs addressing.
A recent New Zealand study investigating modifiable factors associated with stillbirth (the Auckland Stillbirth Study) found that mothers who did not go to sleep on their left side had a twofold risk of late stillbirth (≥28 weeks gestation) compared to mothers who did go to sleep on their left side. These novel findings need urgent confirmation.
This proposed study aims to confirm or refute these findings and to ascertain whether a preventative programme should be introduced. This proposed study aims to confirm or refute the findings of the Auckland Stillbirth Study. Participants will be recruited from maternity units in the Midlands and North of England (led by centres in Liverpool, Manchester, West Yorkshire and Birmingham). 290 women with a singleton late stillbirth without congenital abnormality will be interviewed by research midwives shortly after the birth. A control group of 580 women with ongoing pregnancies will be interviewed at a gestation group matched to that at which stillbirths occurred.
These data will determine whether an intervention study should be considered. If there is a causal relationship between maternal sleep position and late stillbirth we estimate that upto 37% of late stillbirths might be prevented.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0874
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion