Tackle social factors to reduce stillbirths

Pregnant women who are psychologically stressed, domestically abused, deprived or unemployed are more likely to have a stillborn baby.

This outcome, researchers found, could be improved by attending extra antenatal appointments than currently recommended.

Jane Brewin, chief executive of the charity Tommy’s, said: “The complex relationship identified here between stillbirth and social stresses makes it clear that the Government’s prevention strategy must extend beyond the NHS to tackle these deeper underlying issues within society.”