The RBWH leading the National Preterm Birth Prevention Collaborative at a local level

The RBWH Women’s and Newborn Services team have joined ranks with hospitals across Australia and New Zealand to reduce the rate of preterm birth by 20 per cent by March 2024.

The Women’s Healthcare Australasia National Preterm Birth Prevention Collaborative involves more than 50 hospitals and is a world first initiative.

At RBWH, a team of six are leading the initiative including Marcia Morris, Dr Christoph Lehner, Dr Chayel Klein, consumer Melanie McKenzie, data manager Zuleiga Goder, and Ngarrama Midwife Rebecca Thompson.

RBWH Nurse Marcia Morris said preterm birth rates in Australia have been increasing since 1994, highlighting the importance of this initiative.

“There are many risks involved with preterm birth, including increased risk of obstetric intervention, increased range of long-term health issues and disease which can reduce life-quality, and a higher risk of death,” Marcia said.

“The collaborative includes seven strategies to support the reduction in preterm birth which we will be employing here at RBWH.

“In 2022, 4416 singleton babies were born at RBWH with 374 of those born before 37 weeks (8.5%). We are looking forward to reducing this number.”

The initiative follows on from a Women’s Healthcare Australasia collaborative RBWH participated in in 2017/2018 to reduce third and fourth-degree tears in birthing mothers.

For further information, visit the Women’s Healthcare Australasia website.