Complete
Summary
This project delivered education focused on two major risk factors for stillbirth: fetal growth restriction and decreased fetal movements.
In partnership with the Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence (CRE), we implemented:
- a fetal growth restriction training package for clinicians, provided resources and education to GPs, midwives and obstetricians to ensure best practice in managing women with decreased fetal movements, a potential risk factor for stillbirth.
- the Movements matter public health campaign increasing awareness of decreased fetal movements in expectant mothers.
Outcome
In 2018-19, we delivered 23 workshops on fetal growth restriction to more than 700 clinicians:
- Participants’ confidence in detecting and managing FGR grew from 37 per cent to 88 per cent
- More than 90 per cent of participants indicated they would change some aspect of their clinical practice following the workshop.
Educational messages about the importance of a baby’s movements reached more than 620,000 people through social media.
Together, these helped Victoria to its lowest stillbirth rate in 18 years.
This work continued as part of our Safer baby collaborative.
Target
- Improved public awareness of fetal movements in pregnancy.
- Improved clinical management of reduced fetal movements and fetal growth restriction.
Measures
- Reduction in number of outliers for indicator 3 in Perinatal Service Performance Indicators
- Pre and post FGR education evaluation measures.
Resources for clinicians and health services
Webinar
This webinar covers current best practice in identifying and managing decreased fetal movements.
Panel members included:
- Dr Adrienne Gordon - Lead Public Awareness campaign, Neonatologist in the RPA centre for newborn care, NSW
- Professor Vicki Flenady - Director Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence
- Dr Joanna Said - Head of Maternal Fetal Medicine - Sunshine Hospital
- Colleen White - Midwifery Manager Birth Suite Monash Medical Centre
- Dr Nicola Yuen - Clinical Lead Maternity and Newborn Clinical Network
Best practice guidance
Maternity eHandbook on decreased fetal movements
Provides consistent and practical advice regarding assessment, management and escalation about Decreased Fetal Movements for maternity clinicians.
CRE/PSANZ Clinical practice guideline for the care of women with decreased fetal movements
To assist health care providers to provide best care when women have decreased fetal movements. Includes an algorithm designed to be printed and used as a reference in the clinical areas.
Online learning
The Safer Baby Bundle evidence-based eLearning module provides a suite of educational resources based on the latest clinical best practice in stillbirth prevention including Decreased Fetal Movements.
- Free and accredited CPD training
- Safer Baby Bundle eLearning Modules