Werribee Mercy Hospital is taking part in a world-first study aimed at preventing premature births. Under the guidance of Dr Jacqui van Dam (pictured), the hospital is examining whether fish oil supplements can reduce the chances of a baby being born at 34 weeks’ gestation. The hospital is hoping to recruit 550 women to take part in the trial by December 2016. Two-hundred have already signed up. Half the women in the study will be asked to take a daily fish oil supplement, while the other half will be placed on a placebo. Five other hospitals across Australia are also taking part in the study. ■ Full story: P18
