Pregnant mums need to be aware of ANY movements that are different from what’s normal for your baby.

Women who experience a sudden and unusual episode of foetal activity before giving birth are at an increased risk of stillbirth, an international study has found.

Pregnant women are often told to seek medical care if they have concerns about changes in the movements of their unborn babies to help prevent perinatal deaths.

But new research has found it is not only a decrease in movements that mothers need to be aware of, reports ABC news.

Researchers behind the study, including Associate Professor Jane Warland from the University of South Australia, hope the findings will help reduce the rate of stillbirths in Australia.

“The main difference was the people who had told us they’d had a stillbirth, about a quarter of them actually said that their baby had a period of activity just once,” Dr Warland said.

“The baby went ‘crazy’, ‘wild’, ‘ballistic’, ‘nuts’. Those sorts of words were the words that the [study’s] participants used.

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Related: MoM’s share what they wish people knew about miscarriage and pregnancy loss

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Dr Warland hopes the research, published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, will raise awareness and encourage women to seek help if they have any concerns during pregnancy.

“Our advice is don’t be afraid. The hospital is open 24/7. Ring them, go and be checked out,” she said.

“As a midwife myself, I would much rather reassure you 1,000 times than have to say those horrible words, ‘I’m sorry, there’s no heartbeat’.”

Sadly one in 100 pregnancies in Australia will end with the death of the baby.  Six babies are stillborn every day.

Australian researcher recently discovered a major breakthrough in understanding the mysteries of stillbirth. Read more on that HERE.

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Related – Five ways to help parents cope with the trauma of stillbirth

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If you are struggling with a recent loss there are a few support networks to reach out to below:

The Pink Elephants
https://pinkelephantssupport.com/feel-home/support-resources/

Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support  
Grief Support: 1300 11 HOPE
Email: support@bearsofhope.org.au

PANDA
PANDA National Helpline (Mon to Fri, 9am – 7.30pm AEST) Call 1300 726 306

Sands.org.au
24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including Christmas Day) by dialling 1300 072 637

Lifeline 13 11 14

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