Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth

Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth Leading national research, resources & evidence-based advice to prevent stillbirth & improve care.

The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth (Stillbirth CRE) has been established to address the problem of stillbirth in Australia. We are an Australia-wide initiative, our host institution being Mater Research Institute, within The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine. As a regional office of the International Stillbirth Alliance (ISA), the Stillbirth CRE promotes and facilitates partnerships to ensure our work in Australia contributes to the global call to action for stillbirths and also newborn health as outlined Every Newborn Action Plan. Further, the CRE will work towards building a strong health and medical workforce to ensure sustained improvement in care and outcomes for future families.

More new published research!Following our recent publication sharing parent experiences of pregnancy after loss care, we...
09/02/2026

More new published research!

Following our recent publication sharing parent experiences of pregnancy after loss care, we’re excited to release a companion study exploring how maternity services across Australia support families during pregnancy after loss.

Led by Dr Siobhan Loughnan, this national survey published in Women and Birth highlights important gaps and opportunities to strengthen care.

Key insights:
🔹 70% of services do not offer antenatal classes tailored to pregnancy after loss
🔹 Only 44% have a written policy or guideline, and these mostly prioritise medical care over psychosocial support
🔹 77% of services lack a dedicated model or specialised service for pregnancy after loss

These insights underline the need for clearer pathways, more specialised support, and consistent trauma-informed, continuity-focused care for families navigating pregnancy after loss.

Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187151922600003X

New evidence shows that the Mater Research and University of Queensland’s based Stillbirth CRE’s initiative – the Safer ...
06/02/2026

New evidence shows that the Mater Research and University of Queensland’s based Stillbirth CRE’s initiative – the Safer Baby Bundle, is reducing stillbirths and perinatal deaths - highlighting the power of evidence-based, collaborative research translated into practice.

The Stillbirth CRE at Mater is proud to lead research that informs safer maternity care, supports clinicians, and helps ensure more families take home healthy babies.

Stillbirth CRE Director and lead investigator for the Safer Baby Bundle, Professor Vicki Flenady, said:
“At the Stillbirth CRE, we’re committed to advancing evidence-based care and working with clinicians, communities and families to prevent stillbirth - and to ensure safer pregnancies for all. The Safer Baby Bundle shows what can be achieved when evidence is embedded into care, and when clinicians, communities and families work together to improve pregnancy outcomes. This is an important step forward - and it’s only the beginning."

Read the Herald Sun's article here: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/health/family-health/pregnancy/new-study-finds-five-simple-steps-in-safer-baby-bundle-cut-stillbirth-risk/news-story/e2ac832e7cb26be04549177751ce7d81

Join us for the Stillbirth CRE Still Yarning Strong: First Nations Stillbirth Prevention and Care, a dedicated pre congr...
06/02/2026

Join us for the Stillbirth CRE Still Yarning Strong: First Nations Stillbirth Prevention and Care, a dedicated pre congress gathering ahead of PSANZ + FAOPS that places Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, leadership, and community voices at the centre of perinatal care.

This special event brings together First Nations and non-Indigenous researchers, midwives, health leaders, community members, and allies to explore culturally grounded approaches to stillbirth prevention, bereavement care, and healing. The morning begins with the Healthy Yarning Guide Workshop, followed by an afternoon showcase highlighting community led perspectives and lived experience.

Guided by the strength and wisdom of First Nations people, this day offers a rare and meaningful opportunity for clinicians, researchers, and allies to deepen cultural understanding, strengthen practice, and walk alongside community in improving outcomes for families.

🕘 8:45am: Healthy Yarning Guide Workshop 🕒 1:00pm: Afternoon showcase
📍 Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth (WA)
Be part of the learning, the connection, and the next chapter of this important work. Register now via the PSANZ website.

Meet Wendy! Wendy joined the Stillbirth CRE team at the end of 2025. She has taken on the role of Clinical Project Lead ...
30/01/2026

Meet Wendy!
Wendy joined the Stillbirth CRE team at the end of 2025. She has taken on the role of Clinical Project Lead to provide clinical oversight for the development of the Safer Baby Bundle Version 2.0.

Wendy holds a Master's in Health Management and is a registered midwife with over 30 years of national and international experience. Her career has spanned clinical care, management, policy and government advisory work. She is recognised for her expertise in maternity and newborn safety, and evidence-based guideline development.

In her free time, Wendy volunteers with the Victorian State Emergency Service.

The Stillbirth CRE is thrilled to have Wendy join the team!

📅 Save the Date: Waves of Change 2026 🌊We’re excited to announce the return of Waves of Change, taking place in Gold Coa...
28/01/2026

📅 Save the Date: Waves of Change 2026 🌊

We’re excited to announce the return of Waves of Change, taking place in Gold Coast on 7–8 August 2026. This two‑day event brings together leaders, practitioners, and advocates in birth and perinatal care for an inspiring program of learning and innovation.

Featuring expert speakers, presentations, panel discussions, and valuable networking opportunities, Waves of Change is an essential event for maternity healthcare professionals, parents, researchers, and policy makers committed to reducing stillbirth and improving outcomes for families.

Stay tuned for program updates and registration details.

Making Pregnancy Safer for All Families 🌍The Safer Baby Bundle provides evidence-based information on five key antenatal...
22/01/2026

Making Pregnancy Safer for All Families 🌍
The Safer Baby Bundle provides evidence-based information on five key antenatal care practices to reduce stillbirths.

We've partnered with the Social Policy Group to expand the reach of these resources in five new languages: Amharic, Farsi, Kirundi, Somali, and Tamil. This brings up the number of translated SBB resources to a total of 30 languages!
👉 Access our translated resources here: saferbaby.org.au/translated-resources

This work is part of the Social Policy Group's project to develop resources that increase awareness of stillbirth prevention advice for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. They have co-designed a stakeholder kit that includes tailored resources that directs people to the Safer Baby Bundle in-language resources.
👉Download and share with your networks: healthyhorizons.org.au/downloadable-resources

Together, we’re breaking down language barriers and supporting healthy pregnancies.

New published research!Our latest paper, “The hardest 9 months of my life”: Parents’ experiences of care in pregnancies ...
16/01/2026

New published research!

Our latest paper, “The hardest 9 months of my life”: Parents’ experiences of care in pregnancies after perinatal loss in Australia, led by Dr Siobhan Loughnan, has been published in the journal 'Women and Birth'.

Key insights:
🔹 70–98% of parents experienced mental health challenges during their pregnancy after loss
🔹 Most received extra medical care, but emotional and psychological support was often missing
🔹 Parents value: recognition of previous loss, continuity of care, emotional support, and respectful communication

What’s needed? Trauma-informed, integrated care models that meet both medical and psychosocial needs.
Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2025.102155

📢 New Year, New Goals! Start 2026 by refreshing your knowledge on the Safer Baby Bundle!✅ Free, evidence-based modules✅ ...
13/01/2026

📢 New Year, New Goals! Start 2026 by refreshing your knowledge on the Safer Baby Bundle!

✅ Free, evidence-based modules
✅ CPD points available

Together, we can reduce preventable stillbirths.
👉Log on at learn.stillbirthcre.org.au

Happy New Year from all of us at the Stillbirth CRE! 🌟🎉As we step into 2026, we want to thank our incredible community—p...
30/12/2025

Happy New Year from all of us at the Stillbirth CRE! 🌟🎉

As we step into 2026, we want to thank our incredible community—partners, healthcare professionals, researchers, and parents—for your unwavering support and dedication.

Together, we’ve made meaningful progress, and we look forward to another year of collaboration, innovation, and impactful research to reduce stillbirth and improve care for women and families.

If you’d like to be part of this mission, visit: https://stillbirthcre.org.au/about-us/get-involved/

This holiday season, we pause to reflect on the incredible support that has carried us through the year.To our partners,...
21/12/2025

This holiday season, we pause to reflect on the incredible support that has carried us through the year.

To our partners, collaborators, and the parents who walk this journey with us—thank you. Your commitment and care make everything we do possible.

Together, we’ve taken meaningful steps toward reducing the impact of perinatal loss on families. Every achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared purpose.

As we celebrate, our thoughts are with all parents and families—whether your child is in your arms or forever in your heart. If you need support or simply someone who understands, please connect with Red Nose Australia, The Pink Elephants Support Network, or Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support.

From all of us at the Stillbirth CRE, we wish you joy and happiness this holiday season 🌟

16,841 maternity and newborn health care professionals have completed our eLearning courses for Maternity Care Providers...
20/12/2025

16,841 maternity and newborn health care professionals have completed our eLearning courses for Maternity Care Providers.

The Stillbirth CRE offers a suite of free eLearning courses designed to support safer, evidence-based care.

What's available:
✅ Safer Baby Bundle
✅ Stronger Bubba Born Healthy Yarning Guide
✅ Partnering with families of refugee & migrant backgrounds
✅ IMPROVE
✅ Safer Baby Bundle: For interpreters working in maternity care settings

All courses are self-paced, CPD accredited and developed in collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers, parents and communities.

Start learning today: https://learn.stillbirthcre.org.au/

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