The STARS Study is underway!

September 22, 2012
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

By Lindsey Wimmer, MSN, CPNP

The STARS Study is underway!! We at the Star Legacy Foundation are incredibly excited to share this news with you!

One year ago at the Stillbirth Summit, a group of researchers, organizations, and stillbirth families began discussions about designing a research study. This group worked diligently over the last several months to create an online survey for this purpose. STARS (Study of Trends and Associated Risks for Stillbirth) was born and it is now open!

We have had great responses, a lot of interest, and also several questions. In case you have the same thoughts, here are the top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about the STARS Study.

1. What is the purpose of this study? – This study was designed to replicate portions of the Auckland Stillbirth Study to learn more about its findings. The other researchers at the Stillbirth Summit and stillbirth organizations provided input for additional questions to learn as much as we can.

2. What will be done with the data collected? – The researchers involved will use the information relative to their individual work. Their teams will analyze the information to determine if any conclusions can be made. If so, it may support their current/other research studies or it may spark a new concept for researchers to evaluate.

3. Who are the researchers? – The STARS Study team members are:

*  Jane Warland, RN, RM, PhD, University of South Australia; Adelaide, South Australia

*  Louise O’Brien, PhD, MS; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI

* Jason Collins, MD, MCR; Pregnancy Institute; New Roads, LA

* Alex E P Heazell, MBChB, PhD; University of Manchester; Manchester, UK

* Jennifer L Huberty, PhD; University of Nebraska Medical Center; Omaha, NE

* Jamie A McGregor, MD, CM; University of Southern California; Los Angeles, CA

* Edwin A Mitchell, MBBS, FRSNZ, FRACP, DSc; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand

* Mana Parast, MD, PhD; University of California San Diego; San Diego, CA

* Tomasina Stacey, RM, PhD; University of Auckland; Auckland, New Zealand

* Lindsey J Wimmer, MSN, CPNP; St. Catherine University; St. Paul, MN

The STARS Study Coordinators are:

* Shauna Libsack, Star Legacy Foundation

*  Sherokee Ilse, Babies Remembered

* Marti Perhach, Group B Strep International

* Candy McVicar, Missing GRACE Foundation

4. Is this study IRB approved? – This study was reviewed by the IRB at the University of Michigan and determined to be exempt. All IRB regulations regarding exempt studies have been met. IRB #HUM63655  If you’re wondering what an IRB is – an Institutional Review Board is a required function at any organization that conducts research with people.  The primary responsibility of the IRB is to be sure that research involving people is conducted with full informed disclosure and consent and is conducted ethically.

5. Who can participate? – We need women from the following three groups to complete the survey:

*  Women who are currently at least 28 weeks pregnant or who have given birth to a live-born baby in the last 3 weeks

* Women who have had a stillbirth after 28 weeks gestation in the last 3 weeks

* Women who have ever had a stillbirth after 28 weeks of gestation

Click here to participate in the study!

6. I live outside the US or did when my child was born. Can I participate? – Absolutely! This is an international survey. The more women who participate from around the world and around the US, the better our results will be.

7. Why are only stillbirths after 28 weeks being considered? – The study was designed to replicate portions of the Auckland Stillbirth Study. In this study, they evaluated late stillbirths (after 28 weeks). To make our results relevant to their findings, we needed to have similar criteria. In addition, this is an international study and there is not a clear definition between various countries about what gestation is considered a stillbirth. It does not change the importance of what can be learned from all types of pregnancy loss, but research rules require strict boundaries on some items.  Please know – that all babies are important to us and we have visions of additional research that would include earlier pregnancy & infant loss.

8. What about me? My stillbirth occurred before 28 weeks? – We appreciate your interest and willingness to help! We recognize the significance of earlier pregnancy losses and intend to have additional studies in the future that will be focused on those babies. I hope you’ll be willing to participate when we have more projects available!

9. How can I help?The best way to help with this study is to participate if you qualify, and to share the information with anyone else you know who may be interested, willing, and able to participate. The more women who complete the survey, the more we will learn. The faster we are able to get women to complete the survey, the sooner we will have information to share!

10. How can I learn about the findings? – The researchers will be writing papers regarding their analyses. We will definitely share any and all official findings on our website and on our facebook page. If you would like to receive an email when these findings are published, send an email to: [email protected].

If you have other questions regarding this study, please contact me at [email protected] .

THANK YOU for your help and support!

Copyright 2012 © Star Legacy Foundation

One Comment

Cindy Ferrell

I am sitting in front of my computer crying tears for my son I lost 45 yrs ago…Even though so much time has passed the pain of his loss is like it was yesterday.. I was only 19 and never allowed to grieve or discuss what happened. I have two sons and five Grandchildren. But I still have a hole in my heart for my son James that cannot be filled. My doctor at the time had no bedside manner and my husband and family thought it would be better for me not to see my baby. He died (supposedly) just before birth twisting his umbilical cord.

Share via
Copy link