Stillbirth Guidelines
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), a stillbirth can occur as often as one in every 160 births. A stillbirth can occur for many reasons. Dealing with stillbirths should follow a careful protocol to allow parents to grieve and find answers as to why their baby was birthed still. Guidelines exist to help heath care providers know how to deal with a stillbirth at any point in time during the pregnancy.
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When Can Stillbirths Occur?
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Many may think that any loss of a baby is considered a stillbirth. However, a pregnancy loss is only considered a stillbirth if it occurs after 20 weeks of gestation. Any loss before that is considered a miscarriage. There is a slight majority of early stillbirths from 20 to 27 weeks over late-term stillbirths, which occur from 28 to 40 weeks gestation, according to the ACOG.
Why Do Stillbirths Occur?
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A stillbirth can occur for many reasons, which means parents are often left with few answers as to why their baby was born still. Many parents decline autopsies, which means there is little studied information. Most stillbirths are diagnosed on a case-by-case basis. Fetal growth restriction is one culprit, along with drug use by the mother, hypertension, genetic abnormalities, as well as conditions such as Down syndrome.
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Who Is At Risk for a Stillborn?
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Certain groups of people are more susceptible to having a stillborn baby. African-Americans have a higher rate of stillbirth than the rest of the population, at 11.25 stillbirths per 1,000 births, while other ethnic groups have less than six per 1,000 births, according to the ACOG. Obesity or a high body mass index (BMI) of over 40 also puts one at risk for a stillbirth. Also, the older a mother gets, the higher the likelihood of having a stillbirth. Finally, those carrying multiple babies have a risk that is four times that of someone carrying a single baby.
What Should I Do in the Case of a Stillbirth?
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If you have birthed a stillbirth, or you are the health care provider for someone who has just suffered a stillbirth, you should know that the more answers that can be reaped from the situation, the better. Knowing more about stillbirths can prevent others from happening. An autopsy of the baby is strongly encouraged by the ACOG to help determine the reasons for the stillbirth. Family should get a chance to spend time with the baby, take pictures and perform any religious rites before relinquishing the body to the lab.
How Can I Prevent a Stillbirth from Happening Again?
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There is no one way to prevent stillbirth. Even the healthiest of pregnancies can go awry, resulting in a tragic stillbirth. However, making sure that your body is healthy before you are pregnant can help reduce your chances of a stillbirth. Make sure you are at a healthy weight, and do not drink or smoke while pregnant. See your doctor regularly for check-ups and to measure the growth of the baby. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have and work together for the delivery of a healthy baby.
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