In 2019 the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) produced a revised national framework for decision-making in relation to extremely preterm birth. This has been widely adopted and led to significant changes in the care of some of the smallest, most vulnerable babies born too soon.
Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley (HIOTV) has worked with consultant neonatologists in Oxford and consultant psychologists in the wider region to develop an antenatal counselling training package for health professionals engaging with parents who face the prospect of extremely preterm labour.
HIOTV supported pilot courses and produced materials as part of the teaching package. These include a set of simulation videos featuring actors in the key roles. They form a vital part of in-person and online training. In addition, recordings of parent interviews enable first-hand parental experience to be shared with healthcare professionals, supporting psychological considerations of preterm antenatal counselling.
In May 2025 HIOTV facilitated two webinars delivered by clinical experts to support healthcare professionals in developing the skills and confidence needed to communicate with parents and help them make decisions when faced with the prospect of preterm birth. They cover key elements of perinatal management of extreme preterm birth and are designed to increase health professionals’ understanding and confidence in preterm antenatal counselling. More than 300 people attended these online sessions which are now available as recordings.
These webinars are for:
- Neonatologists, paediatricians, obstetricians, midwives and neonatal nurses
- Anyone involved in providing preterm antenatal counselling or supporting parents at time of counselling
- Any grade from registered doctors to consultant
Webinar 1
The first session covers:
- Overview of an approach to antenatal counselling including a review of the BAPM framework of perinatal management of extreme preterm birth and strategies to put it into practice
- Managing parental expectations
- Adjusting your counselling at Level 2 hospital if in utero transfer is not possible (birth imminent/patient unstable).
Presenters
- Dr Katherine Wood, Consultant Neonatologist, Oxford University Hospitals
- Anda Bowring, Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Oxford University Hospitals
Feedback on this session included:
- ‘An excellent training session – best I have ever attended on this topic’
- ‘Brilliant reminder to reflect on the importance of active listening structuring conversations around the family’s requirements’
Watch a recording of webinar 1 here
Webinar 2
The second session has a specific focus on extremely high-risk patients and approaches to counselling including outcomes for comfort care.
The presenter is Professor Dominic Wilkinson, Consultant Neonatologist, Oxford University Hospitals, and Professor of Medical Ethics, University of Oxford.
At the end of this webinar 77% of people who joined it said they were comfortable or very comfortable providing counselling in an extremely high-risk scenario – compared with 37% who felt the same way at the start of the session.