Stillbirths are tragic. The loss of a grown baby in the womb can occur at any stage of pregnancy. In general it occurs at a rate of 15 every 1000 deliveries. The rate is 4 in 1000 at term.
There are other causes of stillbirths. Once a stillbirth has occurred, there is a five-fold increase of a repeat.
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30 % of stillbirths have no causes identifiable.
Among the identifiable causes include: - poorly controlled OR undiagnosed medical conditions - abnormalities in the baby or placenta or the umbilical cord - undiagnosed genetic conditions - undiagnosed blood disorders |
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Each subsequent pregnancy requires careful documentation of its progress. Stillbirths can be predicted after thorough assessments of all investigations. In a subsequent pregnancy the first trimester scan can detect fetal or placental problems. The second trimester detailed scan will detect birth defects.
The follow up is that of a high risk pregnancy Stillbirths are preventable. |
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