This talk will explore the current evidence on maternal perception of fetal movements in pregnancy, highlighting the complexity of this area. It will outline the updated Tommy’s guidance and the rationale behind these changes. We will also share findings from the Horizon Scanning project, a collaborative initiative between Sands and Tomasina, including insights from bereaved parents and key stakeholders.

Dr Tomasina Stacey will discuss ‘Exploring the evidence that supports the updated guidance on fetal movements in pregnancy’ and will be joined by Dr Julia Clark discussing ‘Learning from bereaved parents and the horizon scanning project on fetal movements’. Through discussion, we aim to increase awareness of the nuances and uncertainties in this field, while also bringing greater clarity to the conversation.

Please note this will be recorded and sent out after the event - so do sign up if you just wish to receive the recording.

Biographies:

Dr Tomasina Stacey: Tomasina is a senior lecturer and researcher in midwifery and maternal health research at Kings College London. She has been involved in research into modifiable risks for stillbirth, including maternal perception of fetal movement, for the last two decades and has worked with both Sands and Tommys in trying to imporve the accuracy and clarity of guidance to women and birthing people on feal movements in pregnancy.

Dr Julia Clarke: Julia is a midwife and research officer at Sands. Her PhD was an ethnographic study on practices following women’s reports of altered fetal movements. She as the lead researcher (with Tomasina) on the Sands’ 2024 horizon scanning project, Improving information and guidance about fetal movements.

About Midwifery and Maternity Health Research Group

The Midwifery & Maternal Health Research Group is developing a programme of high-quality research to foster improvements to the delivery, outcomes and experiences of maternity care services. Our research is underpinned by the Lancet’s Midwifery framework for quality maternal and newborn care (QMNC). The QMNC is based on a definition of midwifery which encompasses skills, attitudes and behaviours, rather than specific professional roles. Therefore, while rooted in midwifery practice, our work goes beyond professional boundaries to centre childbearing women, people and their families.

Staff work within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, in close collaboration with the Life Course Sciences Women & Children’s Health Department. We are also forging research networks and collaborations with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience and Philosophy & Medicine. Additionally, the team bring their existing wider networks, service-user and clinician partnerships and collaborations that will develop and enhance the research profile.

We bring together our diverse but inter-related fields of interest. These have previously included modifiable risk factors for stillbirth, maternity care experiences for those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, midwifery practices in facilitating complex physiological birth and improving maternity care for women with pre-existing medical conditions. Together, our work will continue to consider the outcomes and experiences of those receiving care, and those delivering care to address some of the key issues facing maternity services today.