A group of doctors and midwives say New Zealand’s premature birth rates remain too high and have announced guidelines after the World Health Organisation called for urgent improvements to prevent pre-term births last year.
Health data shows each year more than 4000 babies are born before the 37-week mark — around 8% of births. Socio-economic deprivation, midwife shortages and a lack of funding contribute to these rates.
Maternal and perinatal health researcher Katie Groom said the number of pre-term births in New Zealand has not changed for the last 20 years.
“For me personally, it feels really frustrating not to see change.
“Having the opportunity for everybody to have equal access to midwifery care during their pregnancy is essential and of course we are in a really difficult situation with where we sit with our midwifery workforce.”
She said two-thirds of early births are spontaneous labour while the other third is planned births because either the mother or baby are sick.
Multiple reviews in the past 15 years have called for government action and the implementation of a national pre-term birth prevention plan.
Groom said the UK government have made a target to reduce pre-term birth by 20% by 2025.
Clinicians this week announced their own guidelines to help families and improve rates.
“Every midwife, every doctor in the country will have access freely available 24/7 to the highest level of evidence and recommendations for best practice, but it is going to need investment around the country.”
Health NZ said in a statement that it is supportive of the work being done by clinicians and it will work closely with them to help implement the guidelines.
