Stillbirth

Stillbirth

Stillbirth

A stillbirth is defined as intrauterine death followed by the birth of a developing child that occurs after 20 completed weeks of gestation. A stillbirth occurs in about 1 in 160 pregnancies. Most stillbirths occur before delivery, and a small percentage occur during delivery.

Why do stillbirths happen?

If you have had a stillborn baby or are supporting someone through this difficult experience, you are probably desperate to find out why this happened. An autopsy is usually the best way to diagnose the cause of a stillbirth, but it is not always a standard procedure. Ask about your hospital's procedures for handling stillborn babies and the cause of death. If refusing an autopsy is normal, find out how you can ask if you and your family want it.

The most common known causes include:

  • Placental problems: Women with placental abruption, or a form of pregnancy-related high blood pressure called preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension, have twice the risk of abruption or stillbirth than women without the condition. Sometimes a lack of oxygen and nutrients can also contribute to the death of the baby.
  • Birth defects: Chromosomal abnormalities account for 15 to 20% of all stillborn babies. Sometimes a child has structural defects that are not caused by chromosomal abnormalities, but may be the result of genetic, environmental, or unknown causes.
  • Growth restriction: young children or children who do not grow at an appropriate rate are at risk of dying from suffocation (lack of oxygen) before and during birth, or from unknown causes.
  • Infections: Bacterial infections between 24 and 27 weeks of gestation can cause fetal death. These infections usually go unnoticed by the mother and may go undiagnosed until they cause serious complications.
  • Other rare causes of stillbirth include cord injury, trauma, maternal diabetes, high blood pressure, and postterm pregnancy (pregnancy that lasts more than 42 weeks).

Unfortunately, despite attempts to find the cause, in about a third of stillbirths, the cause cannot be determined.

What factors increase the risk of stillbirth in a mother?

  • Women 35 years old or older
  • Malnutrition
  • Inadequate prenatal care
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol and drug abuse
  • African-American ethnicity

How is the diagnosis made?

Most women usually notice that their child is inactive and worry about what this might mean. Ultrasound can confirm that the baby has died, and in some cases determine the cause.

Can stillbirth be prevented?

Medical advances have reduced the number of stillbirths. Today, women with high-risk pregnancies are closely monitored with routine ultrasounds and/or fetal heart rate monitoring. If potential problems are identified, early delivery may be required.

Here are the steps you can take to prevent a stillbirth:

Daily " kick count". From 26 to 28 weeks pregnant, take time each day to record your baby's movements. If you get used to what is normal for your child, you are more likely to notice when something is not right. If you notice a sudden decrease in mobility, see your doctor. An ultrasound can usually confirm if there are any potential problems.

Avoid drugs, alcohol, and smoking as they can increase the risk of stillbirth and other pregnancy complications. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience vaginal bleeding during the second half of your pregnancy.

If you have had a stillbirth in the past, future pregnancies should be closely monitored so that all necessary steps can be taken to prevent recurrent pregnancy loss. 


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