Stillbirth Infants: Potential Reasons, Management Options, and Preventive Measures

A stillbirth happens when an embryo dies after the 20th week of gestation. Many individuals anticipate a stillbirth as an obvious stage when an infant is delivered with no heartbeat.

However, most stillbirths occur in the uterus. Although it can occur, the fetus rarely dies during labor. In most cases, healthcare providers diagnose the loss beforehand and take steps to intervene well before the due date.

What Constitutes a Stillbirth?

A stillbirth is an upsetting gestation loss, related to a miscarriage. Stillbirths include fetal passing following the 20th week, while miscarriages happen sooner in the 20th week.

Like a miscarriage, a stillbirth is a frightening circumstance that may need sufficient time and a strong support network for grieving.

Types of stillbirth are specified based on the number of weeks of gestation before the fetus dies:

• Early stillbirth: Occurs between 20 and 27 weeks.
• Late stillbirth: Occurs between 28 and 36 weeks.
• Term stillbirth: Occurs at 37 weeks or beyond.

Stillbirth rates display important alternatives depending on the geographical location. Developing nations mention rates as huge as 22 stillbirths per 1,000 childbirths, whereas developed countries have significantly lower figures.

For example, in the United States, the estimate is approximately 6 stillbirths per 1,000 childbirths, and in the United Kingdom, it's around 3.5 per 1,000 deliveries.

Improvements in prenatal nurture have added to the deterioration in stillbirth rates universally.

However, there remains a considerable journey ahead in addressing healthcare discrepancies that contribute to certain individuals being more exposed to stillbirths than others.

Read Also: What Can Cause a Miscarriage: Factors Leading to Pregnancy Loss

Various Factors Elevate the Risk of Experiencing a Stillbirth

• Age: Teenagers and individuals aged 35 or older face increased stillbirth rates.
•  Health Situations: Situations such as diabetes, hypertension, blood clotting disorders, thyroid disorders, lupus, and obesity, increase the risk of complications.
• Kind of pregnancy: Multiple gestations (twins or more), elevates the risk..
• Previous pregnancy complications: An experience of stillbirth or other gestation difficulties like preterm birth increases the danger.
• Substance use: Recreational drug use, smoking, and alcohol consumption are related to an increased danger.
• Stress: Important life stressors, such as financial burdens and relationship problems, heighten the danger.
• Environment and resource access: Limited access to prenatal care in certain countries or environments increases the risk. Additionally, factors like race play a role; for example, Black individuals in the U.S. experience stillbirths twice as often as white individuals due to systemic barriers to health and well-being.

Measures To Take to Address Stillbirth

The causes of stillbirths can be complicated, with issues affecting the mother, fetus, or their connecting tissues and organs all possibly leading to stillbirth.

Infections, difficulty with the placenta or umbilical cord, situations affecting the fetus, and pregnancy difficulties are typical contributing circumstances.

Manifestations of stillbirth may contain reduced fetal movement, cramps, and vaginal bleeding. Diagnosis is commonly made through ultrasound to identify the fetus's heartbeat, and several tests may be conducted to find out the cause, such as tests for infection, blood tests, genetic tests, and autopsy.

Management and treatment after stillbirth involve delivering the fetus safely, typically through induced labor, natural birth, or cesarean section. After delivery, parents may choose to spend time with the fetus and request mementos.

While stillbirths cannot always be stopped, steps can be taken to heighten the likelihood of childbirth of a healthy baby, such as preventing substance exploitation, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, avoiding diseases, and undergoing routine tests and checkups during gestation.

Support services, therapy, and personal well-being practices are essential for people dealing with stillbirths.

Related Article: Stillborn Baby Shows Signs of Life, Stuns Undertaker Who Was Preparing Him for Burial