Introduction | Why ANZSA? | Objectives | Interim Board | About ISA

Introduction

Stillbirth is a devastating event for parents and families. Many families suffer grief and loss of normal psychosocial functioning for many years after a stillbirth. While infant mortality rates have declined, stillbirth rates have not, and in some regions the rates of stillbirths appear to be increasing. Every day in Australia and New Zealand approximately six babies are stillborn and in around one third, the death occurs unexpectedly in an apparently healthy mother and baby and no cause for the death is ever identified.

There is an urgent need to address the problem of stillbirth.

The Australia and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance (ANZSA), is an alliance of organisations focussing on stillbirth prevention through conduct of high quality research and supporting evidence based maternity care.

ANZSA has grown from the work of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Perinatal Mortality Group and its Stillbirth Research Collaborative Group and collaboration with organisations including, SIDS and Kids, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support (SANDS) and the Stillbirth Foundation. ANZSA also works closely with The IMPACT Network and The WOMBAT Collaboration. In October 2007 ANZSA became the first regional office of the International Stillbirth Alliance.

Vision

The vision of ANZSA is to reduce the number of stillbirths in Australia and New Zealand and to ensure families receive the best possible care around the time of stillbirth.

Mission

To promote the conduct of high quality collaborative research and best clinical practice for stillbirth in Australia and New Zealand through the establishment of clinical networks and partnerships with parent organisations, government, professional colleges and other relevant national and international organisations.