Medical Negligence Lawyer Calls for Action to Reduce Number of Traumatic Births in UK
11/05/2010
Medical Negligence Bristol
A medical negligence lawyer from Bristol is calling on the government to help reduce the number of stillbirths and to raise awareness in the UK as the number of birth trauma problems continues to rise.
Julie Lewis, a medical negligence solicitor at Irwin Mitchell in Bristol, said that the number of stillbirths and birth traumas is "appalling" and that more should be done to raise awareness for women suffering from birth traumas.
There are almost 4,000 stillbirths every year in the UK and a study by the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI) concluded that almost half of unexplained stillbirths could have been avoided if better antenatal care had been provided.
In the South West of the UK there are 4.4 deaths in every 1,000 births, according to research by the NHS South West, compared to a national rate of 5.5 per 1,000 births. However, the NHS has maintained that the South West region is still an area that needs action to be taken.
Julie said: "Although the South West has a lower than average rate of stillbirths in the UK there is certainly no room for complacency. Compared with many other Western European countries, the UK still has a very poor record of stillbirths.
"These figures are appalling and behind each of these statistics lies a personal tragedy, of grieving parents who have suffered the unimaginable heartache of losing a newborn child. We are calling on the Government to take urgent action and make the reduction of stillbirths a priority."
As part of a bid to raise awareness Julie will be speaking at a conference co-hosted by national charity the Birth Trauma Association (BTA) and Irwin Mitchell solicitors and will be attended by maternity and obstetric experts. The event, "Reducing Stillbirth and dealing with the Aftermath.", takes place on the 13th May 2010, and will be attended by healthcare and medical professionals from all over the UK.
Julie added: "We are also calling on the Government to conduct urgent research to help reduce stillbirths. Several years ago similar UK research was carried out into the incidence and causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and as a result the number of SIDS cases reduced dramatically.
"We believe similar action should be taken to reduce stillbirths, which remain shamefully high in this country and cause unimaginable heartache for so many couples."
Deborah Linster Ali suffered the heartache of stillbirth when she lost her son Jacob in 2004 and now runs one of BTA's regional help lines.
Deborah said: "People really don't appreciate the impact that birth trauma can have, not just on the individuals themselves, but also their friends and family. Sometimes the partners or siblings of birth trauma victims may find that they receive less attention as so much time is spent caring for the victim.
"After the birth of Jacob I felt incredibly isolated. Becoming involved with the BTA has really helped me talk through a lot of my feelings. The great thing about the charity is that it is run by parents for other parents who have suffered or witnessed traumatic births, so there is always someone to talk to who knows, first hand, the kind of emotions you are experiencing.
"Now, being directly involved with the work of the BTA, means I can give something back, not only to the charity, but also to other parents who need help and support."
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