Stillbirth
What is a stillbirth?
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Stillbirth is when you've been pregnant for 20 weeks or more and your baby dies before it's born
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Stillbirth is the same as a miscarriage, except that a miscarriage occurs before 20 weeks and stillbirth occurs after 20 weeks
What causes a stillbirth?
Not all stillbirths are caused by the same problem. Doctors do tests to figure out the cause of a stillbirth. Often, they don’t find any cause. Sometimes they find a problem with the placenta (the organ that feeds your unborn baby), your baby, or your body.
Problems with the placenta
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When the placenta pulls away from the uterus too early (placental abruption)
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Infection in and near the placenta (intra-amniotic infection)
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Problems that cause less blood to get to the baby (which means less oxygen and nutrients)
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Bleeding
Problems with your baby
Problems with your body
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Diabetes that isn’t taken care of
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High blood pressure that happens during pregnancy (preeclampsia)
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Use of substances, such as cocaine, alcohol, or tobacco
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Injuries
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A blood clotting problem
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A problem in your thyroid gland
What are the symptoms of a stillbirth?
How can doctors tell if I have a stillbirth?
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a stillbirth. The doctor will do tests to check your baby's health, such as an ultrasound (moving pictures of the inside of your uterus).
What do doctors do if I have a stillbirth?
If you've delivered the baby and the placenta, you won't need any treatment.
If the baby or the placenta are still in your body, they need to come out. Your doctor might:
If doctors need to do a surgical procedure, they will give you anesthesia (medicine to put you to sleep).
It's normal to feel grief, anger, and guilt after a stillbirth.
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Consider talking with another person if you feel sad and are grieving the loss of your baby
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Remind yourself that it’s very unlikely you did something to cause your stillbirth
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If you’re worried about having another stillbirth, talk to a doctor who can discuss possible tests if needed
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Remember that many women who have a stillbirth get pregnant again and give birth to healthy babies
