Stillbirth – when a baby shows no signs of life – is a particularly sad and distressing time for parents and family, as they affect the shock, grief and pain of losing a baby. Often, the reason behind a stillbirth or whether it could are prevented is unknown. However, there are belongings you can do to lower the danger of having a stillbirth.
What is a stillbirth?
A stillbirth is birth of a baby who has died any time from 20 weeks into the pregnancy through to the maturity of birth. The baby can have died during the pregnancy or, less commonly, during the birth.
If the length of gestation (pregnancy) isn’t known, the birth is going to be considered a stillbirth if the baby weighs 400 grams or more.
A stillbirth is other than a miscarriage, which occurs when a pregnancy ends before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
What can cause a stillbirth?
sadly, it’s often not known what causes a stillbirth. a number of the causes include:
congenital anomalies, which are conditions that affect the baby’s structure (how its body is built) or function (how its body works) while it’s developing within the womb
a premature birth, where the baby is just too immature to survive
baby growth restriction, where the baby doesn’t grow to full potential
a medical condition of the mother, like diabetes, renal disease, heart condition or pre-eclampsia
complications during birth
problems with the duct or placenta
There are some things that will increase a woman’s risk of getting a stillbirth. These include:
being obese before pregnancy
infection
sleeping on your back during pregnancy
smoking, drinking alcohol or shooting up during pregnancy
trauma to the mother’s abdomen (the tummy area)
family violence during pregnancy
Can I do anything to prevent a stillbirth?
Even though an explanation for stillbirth is usually never known, there are many belongings you can do this may lower the danger of having one.
Staying healthy and taking folic acid before you become pregnant, also as avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs are all important.
It is also important that you simply attend all of your antenatal appointments and screenings for any potential health issues also as having an ultrasound in early pregnancy, which can detect problems.
If you’ve got high blood pressure or diabetes, you ought to attempt to ensure these are well controlled before and through your pregnancy.
You should monitor your baby’s movements, especially within the third trimester. If you think that your baby’s movements have changed, speak to your doctor or midwife immediately.
You sleep on your side as your pregnancy progresses, especially from 28 weeks. Lying on your back puts pressure on major and important blood vessels. this will reduce the flow of blood to your womb, and restrict your baby’s oxygen supply. Research has shown that sleeping on your side can reduce the danger of stillbirth by half.
It is also important that you simply take your birth team’s advice on inducing or having a cesarean if your pregnancy goes past the due date.
Possible warning signs
Contact your doctor immediately if:
you think your baby has stopped moving or is moving differently or but usual
you have strong pain or cramping in your abdomen or back
you receive a hard blow to your abdomen
you are bleeding, leaking more discharge than normal from your vagina
your feeling dizzy, experience changes to your vision, or have severe or long-lasting headaches
your face, feet, or hands suddenly swell otherwise you have painful swelling in your legs
you have severe nausea and vomiting that affects your eating or drinking
you have a fever or chills
you sense that something doesn’t feel right
How is stillbirth diagnosed?
An obstetrician or midwife will allow you to know if your baby isn’t showing any signs of life and can support you while they provide you this news.
You will get to give birth to your baby and this, alongside the news that the baby has died, is a particularly traumatic time for parents. you’ll be ready to go home for a day or 2 before returning to the hospital to offer birth to your baby.
It’s normal to feel a variety of emotions, from shock and disbelief to deep sadness and grief.
How is that the baby usually delivered?
Your midwife or obstetrician will ask you the simplest way for you to give birth. In most cases, they’re going to suggest inducing childbirth instead of a cesarean.
There are reasons why your doctor will usually recommend this.
You can spend precious time together with your baby once they’re born.
You can rise up and move around before you’d with a cesarean.
You are at less risk of infection.
You will have longer to process what went on , since it’s going to take each day or 2 after you’re induced for the birth to start.
The vaginal birth of a stillborn baby can take longer than with a live baby. you’ll be ready to have pain relief also because of the full support of your care team. Your feelings are important also as your decisions about stillbirth.