'No stillbirth link' to Caesarean

Having a Caesarean does not raise the risk of a stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, a study has found.

The University of Calgary study contradicts previous research which suggested an increased risk.

The study suggests a mother's obesity - not whether she has a Caesarean - may instead be the key factor.

The study, which appears in the journal BJOG, suggests that previous research has failed to take this factor properly into account.

Our study strongly suggests that previous Caesarean section does not increase the risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies

However, health professionals advise woman not to opt for a Caesarean lightly, as it is a major surgical procedure, with a risk of complications.

Researcher Dr Stephen Wood said the finding was particularly important as the number of Caesareans had increased in recent years.

He said obesity had been consistently linked to both Caesareans and stillbirths, but it had proved difficult to tease out its independent effect on each.

Confounding factors
The Calgary study examined 157,029 second births, and took potentially confounding factors, such as maternal weight, into consideration.

Once they had done that they found that, among women who had previously had a Caesarean, the stillbirth rate was 2.1 per 1,000, compared with 1.6 per 1,000 in women who had no Caesarean history - not a statistically significant difference.

The researchers admit that they were not able to completely account for maternal weight, but had done so far more than previous research.

Dr Wood said: "Our study strongly suggests that previous Caesarean section does not increase the risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies.

"Although previous research has made a link between the two, it is likely that maternal obesity played a part as it was not controlled for."

Professor Philip Steer, editor-in-chief of BJOG, said: "Caesarean section rates are increasing across the developed world and the increase in risks for subsequent pregnancies have been well-documented.

"The increase in stillbirth risk previously reported was especially concerning, so it is somewhat reassuring that the study by Dr Wood and his team suggests that this may have been due to the confounding factor of maternal obesity."

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BBC News: Aspirin 'cuts pre-eclampsia risk'

Taking aspirin throughout pregnancy could reduce the risk of the potentially dangerous condition pre-eclampsia, a major study suggests.

A University of Sydney team analysed data on more than 32,000 women for a study published in The Lancet.

The results suggested cases of pre-eclampsia, which is caused by a defect in the placenta, could fall by 10% if aspirin was taken widely.

Experts urged caution, given the small risks linked to long-term aspirin use. (continue)

Joy for parents after babies' deaths

Having three babies die in two years meant Claire Wright dreaded Mother's Day.

But this year will be different after the birth of healthy daughter Zoe in January.

"Before she was born I was really excited and eager to bring her home," says Claire. "It seems more natural to be a mum to a living baby, than to babies who have died." (continue)

Listen to Concieve On Air

Many women struggle to conceive a subsequent pregnancy after loss. For conception related broadcasts, go to Conceive On Air, a Conceive Magazine production.

Email Update from the National Stillbirth Society

From: Richard K. Olsen, Executive Director
Subject: ANOTHER STILLBIRTH MILESTONE
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2007

We've all doubtless heard the expression, "When it rains it pours." Here in the Phoenix area its especially true. We get our annual 4" of rain in about three rainfalls. But today we're here to tell you not about weather but good news about stillbirth. It involves the San Francisco Chronicle. A milestone article; three articles to be exact.

On Sunday March 5th they ran an article by Suzanne Pullen, a staff writer for the paper and a stillbirth mother. The paper received over 300 responses from readers, e-mails, call and letters. Based on that response the editors asked her to prepare another article, and that article will run this Sunday, March 25th.

In addition to the new article, which will run in the magazine section, and in the online version of the paper, Pullen prepared a second article entitled "Kicks Count" that appears exclusively in the March 25th online version of the Chronicle.

The "KICKS COUNT" article is "fabulously written - a landmark article" in the view of Dr. Jason Collins, Founder of The Pregnancy Institute. The author went to see Collins who set her up with a home fetal heartbeat monitor and tracked the real-time progress of her second pregnancy via the Internet, causing him to recommend an early delivery at 37 weeks. Mother and baby are doing fine.

There is also a link to the March 5th article in case you missed it. The three are "must" reading for any woman who is contemplating having a child, as well as those who lost a child.

Below is the link to the main article, which has in it links to the two related articles. Read them, but more important please take the time to send the link to friends and family. That way you will help build stillbirth awareness from which more good things will spring.

As those who have "walked the walk" it is our duty to help women who follow from having to take the same path. To empower them by passing on the knowledg we all wish we had before our babies were struck down.

Last of all be sure to send your comments to the paper, letting them know what the articles meant to you. You can find an e-mail link in each article. The following link to the main article should be "live" by the time you receive this.

LINK: http://www.sfgate.com/pregnancyafterloss/

Richard K. Olsen, Founder
National Stillbirth Society

Canadian couple urges screening for vasa previa in all pregnancies

Screening urged for pregnancy complication
Updated Thu. Mar. 22 2007 6:11 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff

A Canadian couple is raising the alarm about a rare but serious pregnancy complication, insisting that better screening could have prevented the death of their baby daughter. (continue)