New Technology Could Help Prevent Stillbirths
26th Aug 10
Careful monitoring could provide doctors with an early warning when a baby’s life is at risk, according to new research carried out at the University of Ulster. Sophisticated computer programmes would use ultrasound scan images to analyse the risk.
Researcher Dr Joan Condell said: "We hope to develop a mobile device which women could use while they are up and about. Data could be sent wirelessly and monitored by medical staff." Many bereaved mothers say in the days before a stillbirth the pattern of their baby’s movements seemed to decrease and there was not as much moving and kicking.
Although some women are known to be more at risk of having a stillborn child because of medical conditions like diabetes and obesity, for many others the death comes out of the blue...
Lullabies May Soothe Stresses of Pregnancy
8th Aug 10
An Irish study exploring the benefits of mothers singing lullabies during their pregnancy is being carried out at the University of Limerick. The research team says many women suffer from stress and worries during pregnancy: “Medical treatment is not always suitable because of concerns that taking medication may harm the baby.
For that reason, doctors and midwives are interested in...
Hospice Care: A Lot Done But More To Do
5th Aug 10
Hospice Care: A Lot Done But More To Do
The Economist Intelligence Unit for the Lien Foundation has ranked Ireland fourth out of forty countries in a new “quality of death” survey. But Paul Murray of the Irish Hospice Movement insists, “We have a long way to go”. Ireland’s...