Mothers Working to Prevent Early Stillbirth Study 20-28 (MiNESS 20-28)

Each year in the UK, around 1,600 babies die before or shortly after birth between 20 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. This is sometimes referred to as second trimester pregnancy loss, late miscarriage or stillbirth. Factors such as sleep position and caffeine intake are thought to have an impact. This number has not changed in recent years, and we think this is unacceptable. 

Previous research into sleep position and caffeine intake

Past research in New Zealand and Australia found evidence that sleep position was linked to stillbirth, but these trials were small. That’s why the Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study (MiNESS) was established by Tommy’s Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre alongside Cure Kids, Action Medical Research and Sands to find out more.

In this study, 400 women who had a stillbirth at or after 28 weeks gestation completed a detailed questionnaire and talked to a research midwife about their sleeping habits and other aspects of their pregnancy. This trial found that women who go to sleep lying on their back are more than 2 times more likely to have a late stillbirth (after 28 weeks) compared to women who go to sleep on their sides.

Tommy’s Sleep on Side Campaign

The Tommy’s #SleepOnSide campaign was launched to make women and birthing people aware of the impact of sleep position of stillbirth risk. This evidence based public health campaign has helped reduce the number of babies dying through stillbirth in late pregnancy.

Tommy’s are supporting further research

Now, Tommy’s is working with researchers on a project called Mothers Working to Prevent Early Stillbirth Study (@MiNESS20_28). This study will use the same approach to check whether sleep position and caffeine intake are related to early stillbirth risk, and to identify other factors that might have an impact on pregnancy loss between 20-28 weeks.

Hospitals around the UK are taking part in the study. Our researchers are looking for women and birthing people who fit the following criteria:

• Women and birthing parents with experience of pregnancy loss between 20-28 weeks
• Women and people who are currently pregnant

You’ll be asked to take part in a meeting online or face to face (lasting 1-2 hours) with a research midwife. The midwife will ask about you about your background, general health, lifestyle, pregnancy symptoms and the healthcare provided by your midwife or doctor during their pregnancy.

If you (or a friend or family member) are receiving pregnancy care at a participating hospital, you may be invited to take part. We hope that you will consider joining the study.

The study information video can be viewed below.