Member Focus: Dr Keeth Mayakaduwage Leads Research to Reduce Stillbirth
25 Feb 2026
The Safer Baby Bundle is a set of evidence-based guidelines and educational resources developed by the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth. It is designed to help clinicians and pregnant women prevent stillbirth.
Dr Mayakaduwage, together with senior author Associate Professor Miranda Davies-Tuck, assessed the program in three studies published in The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The research looked at whether the bundle reduced stillbirth and perinatal deaths, changed causes of perinatal death, and if the benefits were experienced fairly across different population groups.
Dr Mayakaduwage, who previously received the AMA’s Women’s Health Award for his work in antenatal care and stillbirth prevention, said the findings provide important evidence to guide safe and effective national implementation.
“Our study found that implementing the program in Victorian maternity services was linked to fewer stillbirths and a statistically significant drop in perinatal mortality, without increasing unintended outcomes like C-sections, labour induction, preterm birth, or NICU admissions,” he said.
The research also found that stillbirths from unexplained causes and certain perinatal conditions decreased at Safer Baby Bundle sites, indicating better antenatal detection and management of fetal risk.
However, Dr Mayakaduwage noted the benefits were not seen across all groups. Some migrant communities saw no improvement, and perinatal mortality among Indigenous women increased during the study period.
To address this, the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth has adapted the Safer Baby Bundle for Indigenous women and migrant and refugee communities. Ongoing evaluations will be important to see if these adaptations improve outcomes and equity.
Dr Mayakaduwage also acknowledged Safer Care Victoria and the Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity for their role in rolling out the bundle across the state. The program forms part of the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan.
Source: Australian Medical Association (AMA)
