After years of progress, the variety of stillbirths elevated throughout England and Wales in 2021 – nevertheless it’s not the story you’ll examine elsewhere.
When the brand new ONS information was launched this week, most newspapers targeted on a jolly little reality: final yr, extra infants had been born out of wedlock than amongst married {couples} for the primary time since information started.
However the figures additionally present there have been 2,597 stillbirths in 2021, a rise of 226 from 2020.
These statistics had been barely a footnote in most nationwide newspapers, one thing the newborn loss charity, Tommy’s, was disillusioned by.
Kath Abrahams, chief government on the charity says the most recent figures are “unacceptable”. She believes they mirror the “direct and oblique” influence Covid-19 had on pregnant girls and folks in 2021.
“Not directly, the pandemic had a big influence on maternity companies, placing them beneath higher strain,” she tells HuffPost UK. “There have been greater charges of stillbirth in January 2021, which coincided with the height of the second wave of Covid-19.”
All through the pandemic, HuffPost UK reported on the disproportionate influence on maternity companies, with pregnant girls saying they felt “forgotten” as lockdown restrictions eased. Whereas pubs reopened, mums-to-be reported having routine antenatal appointments cancelled or performed over the cellphone.
Although there’s no analysis to hyperlink these practices on to stillbirth charges, the person tales paint an image of incomplete care, at a time of high-anxiety for pregnant girls.
Pregnant girls additionally confronted misinformation concerning vaccine security, with some even mistakingly instructed to not take the jab at vaccine centres. Knowledge from October 2021 discovered simply 15% of pregnant girls had been absolutely vaccinated amidst the concern and confusion.
Due to this, Tommy’s says Covid-19 an infection is prone to have had a direct influence on the 2021 stillbirth fee.
“Our analysis has proven that getting Covid-19 throughout being pregnant may trigger issues within the placenta, rising the danger of being pregnant issues, which is why it’s essential pregnant girls and folks get vaccinated if they’ll,” Abrahams says.
“Charges of stillbirth had been following a constant decline over current years, and we consider 2021’s improve is unacceptable. It highlights precisely why we have to improve efforts to satisfy NHS England’s purpose of lowering stillbirth charges by 50% by 2025.”
The information additionally uncovered that stillbirth charges differed throughout the nation final yr, with extra disadvantaged areas, together with the North East and Yorkshire, experiencing greater charges than essentially the most prosperous areas.
“It’s unacceptable that who you might be and the place you reside continues to have an effect on whether or not your child is born wholesome – and it’s important that our authorities and well being companies proceed to give attention to tackling these inequalities,” Abrahams provides.
“Motion to cut back stillbirth have to be a nationwide precedence as well being companies recuperate following the Covid-19 pandemic, and extra work have to be achieved to grasp the explanations for the rise in stillbirths and assist enhance take care of pregnant girls and folks in danger.”
Commenting on the most recent figures, Professor Asma Khalil, spokesperson for the Royal Faculty of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, mentioned each stillbirth “is a tragedy for the households affected in addition to the maternity employees concerned”.
“Stillbirth charges are nonetheless greater within the UK than many different high-income international locations and range extensively throughout the UK,” she mentioned. “We proceed to advise girls who’ve considerations or worries about their or their child’s well being – together with the newborn’s actions – to hunt medical recommendation from their midwife or hospital as quickly as attainable. We additionally advise pregnant girls to make sure they’re absolutely vaccinated in opposition to Covid as this will improve the danger of stillbirth.”
HuffPost UK contacted the Division of Well being and Social Care in regards to the elevated stillbirth charges, sharing the considerations raised by Tommy’s about stretched maternity companies.
In response, a DHSC spokesperson instructed us: “We’re dedicated to creating the NHS one of the best place on the planet to offer beginning by personalised, high-quality help.
“Since 2010, the speed of stillbirths has decreased by 20.9%, the speed of neonatal mortality for infants born over 24 weeks has decreased by 36% and maternal mortality has decreased by 17%.
“The NHS is investing £127m into the maternity system within the subsequent yr to help the workforce and enhance neonatal care – which is on prime of £95m to recruit 1,200 extra midwives and 100 extra guide obstetricians.”
