Better data and health worker training may cut stillbirths: study

The Hindu Business Line India HNN Team

Stillbirth, which is defined as a baby born without life at or after 28 weeks gestation, is one of the major problems facing the health sector across the world. It is estimated that about 26 lakh stillbirths occurred globally every year and India accounted for the largest proportion with 5.9 lakh cases. While the number … Continued

Confronting the Sorrow and Silence of Stillbirth

New York Times HNN Team

In one picture, a father holds the tiniest of caskets. In another, a couple stares at their lifeless newborn as if in a trance. Frame by frame, the pictures depict the sorrow of a stillbirth, a global health issue that is often hidden despite claiming millions of lives each year. Matthieu Zellweger, a Swiss photographer … Continued

After a Stillbirth, Tests Can Help Pinpoint the Cause

HNN Team

Some 26,000 women in the United States give birth to a stillborn child each year. It’s a harrowing experience for parents, and many eventually want to know what went wrong, in part to avoid going through a similar experience in the future. But in the days after delivery, when tests to search for a cause … Continued

Nine countries commit to halve maternal and newborn deaths in health facilities

WHO Bangladesh, India, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, United Republic of, Uganda, Nigeria

New WHO and UNICEF-supported network to improve care for mothers and babies On February 14 of 2017, 9 countries – Bangladesh, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda – committed to halving preventable deaths of pregnant women and newborns in their health facilities within the next 5 years. Through a new Network … Continued

Nigeria gets action plan to cater for sick newborns

The Guardian Nigeria HNN Team

The Federal Government has launched three new policy documents to tackle health of newborns. They are Nigeria Every Newborn Action Plan, Essential Newborn Care Course (ENCC) training package and National Chlorhexidine Scale Up Strategy document. The action plan is to serve as a roadmap that focuses on packages of interventions that address care during labour, … Continued

Highlights from the 2nd Uganda Maternal – Newborn Symposium

Makerere University Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn Health Research Uganda

True magnitude of stillbirths and maternal and neonatal deaths underreported

HNN Team

Counting and reviewing every birth and death is key to preventing future tragedies News release 16 AUGUST 2016 | GENEVA – The day of birth is potentially the most dangerous time for mothers and babies. Every year, worldwide, 303 000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth, 2.7 million babies die during the first 28 days … Continued

Empty hospital bed

Giving Voice to the Realities of Stillbirth

Medium HNN Team

She stands there staring at you. After nine months of pregnancy she holds out her empty arms. Her baby died before it had a chance to live. She is from every country and most commonly from poorer, younger, marginalized or conflict-affected populations. How she reacts to the stillbirth may vary according to her culture. But … Continued

Why don’t people talk more about stillbirths?

BBC HNN Team

Nine babies are stillborn every day in the UK, on average Emma Beck’s second child was stillborn after eight months of pregnancy Lingering questions about her daughter’s death led her on a quest to find out more about stillbirth and the taboo that surrounds it

Uganda: New Project Cuts Back Child Deaths

Uganda HNN Team

Kampala — A new study has shown a reduction in fresh stillbirths and a drop in newborn mortality rate within 24 hours. The study conducted under: “Saving Lives on the Day of Birth” project equips health workers with the required skills to prevent and respond to postpartum haemorrhage (over bleeding) and birth asphyxia (deprivation of oxygen … Continued