About this topic
Stillbirth is the death of a baby still growing in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If the age is not known, then a baby weighing more than 350 grams is considered a stillbirth. A pregnant woman may think that something is wrong if all of a sudden her baby stops moving and kicking. Stillbirth can happen in the womb. Stillbirth can also happen in the birth canal or during childbirth. ‚
What are the causes?
Stillbirth may be caused by: ‚
- Birth defects:
- Chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome
- Environmental toxins, such as chemical exposures and cigarette smoking
- Babies who grow too slowly in the womb and are of small size for their age
- Infection can happen to the mother, baby, or the placenta, the tissue that connects the baby to the mother.
- Bacterial infection ¢ ˆ ’ toxoplasmosis, Listeria, rubella, and syphilis
- Viral infections ¢ ˆ ’ parvovirus (Fifth disease)
- Rh disease ¢ ˆ ’ an incompatibility between the mothers blood and the baby's blood
- Problems with the placenta:
- High blood pressure from pregnancy which is pre-eclampsia.
- Placenta separates from the womb too early and the baby does not get the oxygen or nutrients needed to survive which is placental abruption.
- Umbilical cord accidents ¢ ˆ ’ keeps baby from getting the right amount of oxygen
- Umbilical cord has an odd placement into the placenta
- Umbilical cord has a knot
- Umbilical cord wraps around baby's neck
- Long-term health problems in pregnant women
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Kidney disease
- Blood clotting problems
- Liver disease, such as obstetric cholestasis
- Injury, such as car accidents or falls
- Being pregnant longer than 42 weeks
What are the main signs?
- Less action, movement, or kicking of your baby in the womb
- Vaginal bleeding
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
- Ultrasound exam
- A test that uses sound waves to take a picture of your baby in the womb
- Shows whether your baby is moving and breathing normally
- Shows that the baby has died in the womb when there is no heartbeat
- Fetal heart rate monitor shows no heartbeat
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your doctor will talk with you about the choices for delivering your stillborn baby. If there are health problems involved, the baby may need to be delivered right away. Often, the birth process starts within 2 weeks of the death of the baby. Sometimes, parents wait to have the baby in this way. If labor has not started within 2 weeks of the death of the baby, labor may be started. The doctor may give vaginal drugs and the hormone oxytocin, which is given through a needle in the mothers arm. These drugs cause the womb to start contracting. Sometimes, waiting a few weeks for a stillborn baby is hard for parents. You may choose to start the birth process at an earlier time once you learn of your baby's death. ‚
After the birth of your stillborn baby, some tests are done. The baby, placenta, and umbilical cord are checked for abnormalities. Your doctor may ask that an autopsy be done on your baby to help find the cause of death. Your doctor may also want to do some tests to see if there are any chromosomal problems. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Visit your doctor before you become pregnant to talk about any health problems you have that might be a worry while you are pregnant.
- Talk about any drugs you are taking with your doctor before you become pregnant.
- Go to all of your prenatal office visits.
- If you are too heavy, think about losing weight before you become pregnant.
- Do not smoke while you are pregnant.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) while you are pregnant.
- Do not use street drugs while you are pregnant.
- Avoid infections that could harm your unborn baby. Do not pick up cat litter. Do not eat or pick up raw meat or meat that is not cooked properly while you are pregnant. You can catch an infection from the meat or cat litter.
- Keep track of your babys movements (kick counts) while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor about any belly pain or vaginal bleeding right away.
Where can I learn more?
March of Dimes ‚
http://www.marchofdimes.com/search-results.aspx?search-text=stillbirth&search-chunk=1 ‚
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/preconception/careforwomen/history.html ‚
International Stillbirth Alliance ‚
www.stillbirthalliance.org ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚