Stillbirth Info
Facts About Stillbirth
In the State of Indiana, a stillbirth is the death of baby after the 20th week
of pregnancy but prior to delivery.
A stillbirth is often diagnosed before birth by an ultrasound that shows the
baby’s heart has stopped beating.
A stillbirth happens in one out of every 115- 200 births. Stillbirth is 3-6
times more common than SIDS (Sudden Infant death Syndrome.)
Most stillbirths are unpredictable and random. Stillbirth crosses socio-economic
classes, races, religion, body types and mother’s age groups. Even women
who have had several successful prior births can experience a stillbirth.
About 85% of stillbirths occur before labor begins. Most often the mother has
no symptoms to warn her of a problem.
About 15-20% of stillborn babies have one or more birth defects. Between 10-20%
are caused by problems with the placenta and 15% involve problems with the umbilical
cord. Infections can contribute in 10-25% of the cases, especially those before
28 weeks. Poor fetal growth is linked to about 20% of stillborns.
Even with extensive testing, a cause for stillbirth cannot be identified in
about half of the cases. Even when a cause is not specifically identified, at
least potential high risks for reasons can be ruled out.
There are some chronic health conditions of the mother that are linked to high
rates of stillbirth, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease.
Smoking, alcohol and street drugs can increase the risk of stillbirth.
On average, there is approximately a 3% chance for stillbirth to recur in the
next pregnancy. In other words, there is a 97% chance that a future pregnancy
would not end in stillbirth.
For more information about stillbirth:
www.plida.org
www.marchofdimes.com
www.missfoundation.org
www.stillnomore.org
www.wisc.edu/wissp
www.wisc.edu/wissp/webpag10.htm
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