What does Stillbirth mean?
Stillbirth refers to babies born dead after 24 weeks or more gestation and in one year in the UK between 5 and 6 babies in every 1000 are stillborn. The commonest causes of stillbirth are; • Congenital defects • Placenta coming away from wall of the uterus • High blood pressure • Diabetes • Reduced oxygen levels to the baby (either while in the uterus or during birth) • Infection Sometimes the cause of death is clear and good information about the underlying condition is available but often there is no satisfactory explanation. Death can occur suddenly in otherwise apparently normal mature infants and at present about half of stillbirths remain unexplained. Even if the cause of death is identified (such as lack of oxygen) it may not be possible to explain what started the chain of events that lead to death. Many obstetricians will routinely induce all mothers with even moderately raised blood pressure and those who are significantly past their due date in an attempt to reduce the numbe
Stillbirth refers to babies born dead after 24 weeks or more gestation and in one year in the UK between 5 and 6 babies in every 1000 are stillborn. The commonest causes of stillbirth are; • Congenital defects • Placenta coming away from wall of the uterus • High blood pressure • Diabetes • Reduced oxygen levels to the baby (either while in the uterus or during birth) • Infection Sometimes the cause of death is clear and good information about the underlying condition is available but often there is no satisfactory explanation. Death can occur suddenly in otherwise apparently normal mature infants and at present about half of stillbirths remain unexplained. Even if the cause of death is identified (such as lack of oxygen) it may not be possible to explain what started the chain of events that lead to death. Many obstetricians will routinely induce all mothers with even moderately raised blood pressure and those who are significantly past their due date in an attempt to reduce the numbe
