When a baby dies after the 20th week of pregnancy, it is called a stillbirth. The exact reason is still not clear for 1/3 of cases. The remaining two-thirds of pregnancies end in miscarriage due to complications with the placenta or umbilical cord, high blood pressure, infections, birth abnormalities, or bad lifestyle choices.
Causes of Stillbirth
This may include the following:
1.Birth Defects and Chromosomal Disorders
Some birth defects and chromosomal abnormalities have been linked to most miscarriages, whereas others have been linked to an increased risk of stillbirth.
There are many stillbirths due to chromosomal disorders, especially those linked to anatomic or birth problems.
Around 14% of stillbirths are due to birth abnormalities or genetic disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
2.Growth Restriction in the uterus
Pregnant women who suffer from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are more likely to have a baby that is smaller than predicted for its age. The disease can lead to stillbirth or an increased risk of neonatal death in extreme circumstances (perhaps because the baby is not getting adequate oxygen or nutrition).
3.Placenta problems
Also, as result, anything that disrupts the placenta’s normal function puts the infant at risk. Problems with the placenta may account for as much as a fifth of these cases of all stillbirths.
Poor blood flow, inflammation, and infection are all possible causes of these issues. When the placenta separates from the uterine wall prior to birth, the condition known as placental abruption is called into play.
4.Infection
Approximately 10% of stillbirths are the result of infection, most commonly caused by bacteria in the womb. The mother may not detect or be diagnosed with these infections until major issues have arisen. E. coli, group B streptococcus, klebsiella, chlamydia, haemophilus influenza, enterococcus, and mycoplasma or ureaplasma are a few examples of bacteria that can cause such an infection.
Chlamydia, for example, is a sexually transmitted infection that can be avoided with the use of a protective contraceptive such as a condom.
5.Increased risk
Having a stillborn baby can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Conceiving a set of twins or multiples
- Being pregnant with a child who does not develop normally in the womb
- Being older than 35
- Smoking, drinking alcohol during pregnancy
- Being overweight — having a BMI of 30 or higher.
- Medical condition, such as epilepsy, that pre-exists
6.Problems with the umbilical cord
One in every ten stillbirths was thought to be the result of complications with the umbilical cord. As an example, the umbilical chord can become tangled or constricted, preventing the fetus from receiving oxygen. At the end of the pregnancy, this is a common cause of stillbirth.
High blood pressure disorders. Stillbirths were also commonly calculated by the mother’s high blood pressure, whether from chronic high blood pressure or preeclampsia. Stillbirths of this sort were more likely during the end of the second trimester and the beginning of the third trimester than at any other time throughout pregnancy.
7.Mother health
Stillbirths can be caused in part by the health of the mother. Health problems that are more frequently encountered
Preeclampsia and chronic high blood pressure appear at the conclusion of the second trimester and the beginning of the third.
Among the others:
- Diabetes
- Lupus
- Obesity
- Thrombophilia
- Abnormalities of the thyroid gland
8.Growth Restriction
Asphyxia (loss of oxygen) is a leading cause of death for newborns who are underweight or who are not growing at a normal rate.
Risk Factors
There are a lot of factors that can raise a woman’s risk of having a stillbirth and these include the following:
- Multiple pregnancies
- A previous miscarriage
- incomplete growth of baby in the womb
- Malnutrition
- Inadequate prenatal care
Can I do anything to prevent a stillbirth?
Despite the fact that the cause of a stillbirth is frequently unknown, there are a number of preventative measures you can take.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle before becoming pregnant is critical, as is taking folic acid and abstaining from smoking, consuming alcohol, and engaging in drug use.
- In addition, it is critical that you keep all of your prenatal appointments and get checked for any health issues that may arise, including an ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy.
- Having high blood pressure or diabetes should be managed of before and throughout pregnancy.
- During the third trimester, you should keep a close eye on your baby’s movements. Consult your doctor or midwife right away if you notice a change in your baby’s movements.
- As your pregnancy progresses, you should sleep on your side, especially after 28 weeks. Pressure is imposed on major blood vessels when you sleep on your back. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow to your womb and a reduction in the amount of oxygen your baby receives. Sleeping on your side can reduce the risk of stillbirth by half, according to studies.
- If your pregnancy continues over the due date, you should follow the advice of your birth team regarding whether or not to induce labor or perform a caesarean section.
How long does it take your body to recover?
Physical recuperation might take anywhere from six to eight weeks, depending on a variety of conditions. Because everyone’s experience is unique, it’s important not to base your decisions on the opinions of others.
Your milk-producing hormones will be activated once the placenta is delivered. For the first 7 to 10 days, you’ll be able to breastfeed. If this bothers you, speak to your doctor about lactation-stopping drugs.
Conclusion
Your baby’s movements are important to keep a watch on and know what’s normal for your child.
If you discover that the baby’s movements have slowed or stopped, immediately notify your gynecologist doctor. Don’t wait until the next day.
FAQs
1.What are 3 factors that increase the risk of stillbirth?
- Advancing years (older than age 35)
- Exposure to secondhand smoke while pregnant, or smoking tobacco or marijuana while pregnant.
- Pre- or post-pregnancy use of illicit drugs
2.Can a stillbirth baby survive?
Reviving the majority of unexpectedly delivered newborns without a heartbeat is possible in the birth room. 48 percent of individuals who are treated survive with a normal outcome or mild-moderate handicap.
3.Is stress a factor in stillbirth?
Women who reported a greater ratio of stressful situations were more likely to give birth to a stillborn child. A woman’s risk of stillbirth increased by around 40 percent if she experienced two stressful incidents, according to the researchers’ data.
