Natasha Donnolley

Natasha Donnolley - Project Manager, National Perinatal Epidemiology & Statistics Unit

Natasha Donnolley

Project Manager, National Perinatal Epidemiology & Statistics Unit

State or Territory:

  • NSW but national focus as a Consumer representative

Primary position including institution/organisation:

  • Project Manager, National Perinatal Epidemiology & Statistics Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, UNSW

About Natasha Donnolley: 

  • Dr Natasha Donnolley is a Project Manager at the National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit and Centre for Big Data Research in Health at the University of NSW, where she has been involved in a range of national maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality reporting projects.
  • She is a certified Health Information Manager and led the development of the world-first Maternity Care Classification System (MaCCS) for the Commonwealth Department of Health and has co-authored a number of national epidemiological reports, including the first Perinatal deaths in Australia report in 2016.
  • In additional to her professional responsibilities, Natasha is also a leading consumer advocate and representative in maternal and perinatal health, providing advice on state and national committees and to the NHMRC Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence.
  • She is currently the Vice President and Director of the International Vasa Previa Foundation and a Director on the National Board of the Australian College of Midwives.

Why does preventing early birth matter to you? 

"Having experienced the preterm birth of my son at 31 weeks, I know how hard it can be and the stress that families go through, not just around the time of birth but throughout their child’s lifetime. The short and long-term consequences of preterm birth are experienced far and wide, so safely delaying birth as long as possible should be a priority."

"Working closely in the areas of preterm birth and stillbirth it’s important to me that we balance the tension between these two and avoid reducing one at the detriment to the other. I’m passionate about providing the voice of women and families in this space based on my own lived experience and through networking with other consumer advocates."
The Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is working to safely lower the rate of early birth across Australia.