Stillbirth

Stillbirth can occur before delivery, or as a result of complications during labor and delivery. In at least half of all cases, researchers can find no cause for the pregnancy loss.

In some cases of stillbirth, the mother may notice a decrease in the movement or kicking of the fetus. In these cases, the health care provider uses an ultrasound, a machine that uses sound waves to create a picture of the fetus, to learn more about its health. If you are pregnant and have concerns about stillbirth, ask your health care provider if there are special ways he or she wants you to track movement.

Stillbirth can be devastating to a woman and her family. If you or your family are having trouble coping with the loss of a stillbirth, please talk to your health care provider.

Causes

In spite of how often stillbirth occurs, and how emotionally painful it can be, little research has been done on this type of pregnancy loss. Many families desperately want to know the cause. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICDH) is conducting more research on the potential causes of Stillbirth in the United States. Through this effort, the NICHD will create a network of research sites whose sole focus will be on understanding stillbirth, its features, its causes, and its effects on a woman's uterus. Patients in this network will include women from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds, to provide a clearer picture of this problem. Through this initiative, the NICHD hopes to support work that may some day be able to predict and prevent stillbirths.

To have an understanding of what caused the stillbirth, experts will often need to examine the fetus. The decision to do this is a personal one that some couples want and others do not.

Below is a list of some of the potential causes of stillbirth:

Birth defects
Birth defects can be a cause of stillbirth. It is estimated that about one-fourth of babies who are stillborn have one or more birth defects that most likely played a role in their death.

Problems with the umbilical cord or placenta
Because the placenta and the umbilical cord are so vital to the survival of the baby, their function is essential. Problems in either one can limit the flow of blood, oxygen, and food being delivered to the baby. Problems with the umbilical cord or placenta account for a smaller percentage of stillbirths than birth defects.

Maternal Health
In extreme cases, the health of the mother can play a role in stillbirth. Certain flus are illnesses can cause stillbirth. For example, if the mother contracts the Chicken pox virus it can be extremely dangerous to both her and the baby. Other conditions that can pose a threat are diabetes, hypertension, and their medical treatments. Drug use, such as the recreational use of cocaine, can also increase the risk of stillbirth.

References

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. National Institute of Health.
• Empty Cradles online support for families of stillbirth

Related Links

• Miscarriage
• Yoga for miscarriage
• The Chicken Pox Vaccine