Our mothers and children are the foundation of our future. It is our responsibility to ensure that we provide them with the best possible start in life. It is becoming increasingly clear that many diseases and problems, that we once thought to be caused at birth or in early childhood, actually have their origins during foetal life.

Our knowledge of foetal life is limited. The more we uncover the more we realise how little we know. The more we learn the better we will be able to deal with the problems that can occur during pregnancy and childhood.

Western Sydney is a great base for pregnancy and childhood research. Nepean Hospital is one of the largest maternity units in Australia. We have a very stable population where generation after generation continue to reside in the area. This gives a unique opportunity for long-term epidemiological studies and makes monitoring of research far easier.

The people of Western Sydney will benefit in many ways from research being carried out in the area. Research opportunities will help attract the best clinicians and academics into the area. It will also encourage pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to consider investing in the area. Licensing discoveries will open up national and international markets. Most importantly we will be building a foundation for our future.

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In 2000 there were 87922 babies born in NSW. Of these births 4.5% were of teenage mothers and 17.7% were of mothers greater than 35 years of age.

The Wentworth Area Health Service (WAHS) covering the Nepean, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Springwood areas has nearly 5000 deliveries every year.

	Some statistics to ponder are:
	The caesarean section rate has increased over the last five years to 21.3%
	The rate of low birth weight (< 2500g) is 6%
	The rate of preterm delivery (< 37 weeks gestation) is 7.3%
	The perinatal mortality rate is 9.7 per thousand
	Therefore:
	Every year in NSW there are > 5200 babies of low birth weight
	Every year in Wentworth Area Health Service there are > 290 babies of low birth weight
	Every year in NSW there are > 5275 preterm babies
	Every year in Wentworth Area Health Service there are > 350 preterm babies
	Every year in NSW there are > 850 stillbirths and neonatal deaths
	Every year in Wentworth Area Health Service there are nearly 50 stillbirths and neonatal deaths
	Every year approximately 10 mothers die from pregnancy related problems
	Just over 2% of babies are admitted to neonatal intensive care units

A baby’s chance of survival at 22 weeks is just over 10%.  This increases to 95% by 32 weeks gestation. It is through research that our knowledge of foetal life can grow and why the work of OZWAC plays a vital role in helping to build the healthy pitter-patter of little feet.

References:

OZWAC has recently produced an information and promotional video to raise awareness of who we are and what we are about. If you wish to view this video kindly contact the office on Tel: (02) 4734 2470 to arrange for a copy to be made available (conditions apply).

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