Warning Signs of Stillbirth That You Should Know

The death of a foetus at or after the 20th week of pregnancy is known as a stillbirth. Clinically, it is called intrauterine foetal demise. The demise of a baby is referred to as a miscarriage or pregnancy loss before this period.

We understand that reading about the symptoms of stillbirth can be very worrying during pregnancy, but it is also essential to know that this rare condition could happen to you. 

Fortunately, stillbirth is a relatively rare occurrence, involving only about 1 in 160 pregnancies, with most of these stillbirths taking place before 37 weeks.

Therefore, if you're expecting, keep a close eye on your baby's activities and get examined if something doesn't seem right. Antenate has created this guide about what causes stillbirth and how can you know if you are dealing with it.

Types of Stillbirth

Stillbirth means the death of an infant after 20 weeks of pregnancy, either before or during delivery. The end of a baby before the 20th week is frequently called a miscarriage. Stillbirths can happen in the following three types - 

• Early stillbirth - appears between 20-27 weeks of pregnancy
• Late stillbirth - happens between 28- 36 weeks of pregnancy
• Term stillbirth - transpires between 37 or beyond those weeks of pregnancy

What are the Warning Symptoms of Stillbirth?

Stillbirth can appear without any apparent signs, but there are some indications that you should look. You should immediately contact your doctor if you encounter any of the symptoms mentioned below during pregnancy.

• Change in Baby’s Motions - Most women begin to feel their baby moving at about 16 weeks of pregnancy. The baby's activities will become more regular around 24 weeks. You should consult your doctor immediately if you detect any change in your baby's moves, such as kicks that suddenly appear less often or less intense than usual. It could indicate that your baby is not receiving enough oxygen or nutrition.

• Spotting or Bleeding - This might be a sign of placental abruption, a severe illness in which the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus before delivery.

• Vaginal Discharge - Discharge from the vagina might connect with an intrauterine infection or womb infection. Also, it signifies your waters breaking earlier. 

• Feeling Something in the Vagina - It might signal an umbilical cord prolapse which means your child isn’t gaining enough oxygen. 

• Itching - Hurtful itching on your palms and feet could indicate Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (IHP). It is a pregnancy-related liver disease that can conduct to stillbirth. 

Some other typical signs of stillbirth include:

• Tiredness 
• High fever
• Mild-to-painful abdominal cramps
• No detection of a baby’s heartbeat
• Headaches
• Blurred vision 

Whenever you experience these warning signs during pregnancy, contact your doctor quickly. Your medical team will observe your symptoms. Also, they will perform an ultrasound and a doppler ultrasound to inspect your baby and measure the heart rate. Thus, you must follow all your routine tests and scans.

Causes of Stillbirth

Doctors do not always find out reasons for stillbirth, but the most standard causes are- 

• Pregnancy-Related Complications - Approximately one-third of stillbirths are caused by problems like preterm labour, twin or triplet pregnancies, placenta detachment from the womb, accident or injury while pregnant. 
• Placental Issues - Issues with the placenta, like a shortage of blood flow to the organ, appear in about one-quarter of stillbirths.
• Developmental Anomalies in a Baby - Most stillbirths might happen due to genetic or structural diseases in the fetus.

• Infection - in the fetus, placenta or the pregnant woman also leads to stillbirth. 
• Umbilical Cord Issues - Sometimes, the cord might become knotted, which cuts off the oxygen supply to the child and cause stillbirth.
• Elevated Blood Pressure - Chronic high blood pressure conditions might cause stillbirth.
• Medical Disorders in Women - Research suggests that an existing illness, such as diabetes, may have been the reason for less than 1 in 10 cases of stillbirth.

Risk Factors of Stillbirth

Risk factors for stillbirths are the following:

• The size of a baby is smaller than the average
• A medical record of obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure in a woman
• Multiple pregnancies, for example, pregnancy with twins or triplets
• The foremost pregnancy
• A history of previous stillbirths
• Pregnancy with any reproductive technology, like the fertilisation of an egg with a sperm in a laboratory 
• Pregnancy in a woman who is older than 35 years
• A woman has a history of smoking, having tobacco or cannabis or using illegal drugs.
• A woman is African-American
• A woman experienced trauma or increased stress in the year before her delivery.

Stillbirth Delivery Options

When your doctor determines your baby has died, he might discuss with you the following delivery options - 

• Waiting until you start experiencing labour
• Widening the cervix and employing instruments to take out the baby
• The C-section method
• Inducing labour by giving you medications that help in opening the cervix and cause the uterus to contract

Handling Your Mental Health After Stillbirth

You've lost something essential and unexpected and will need time to mourn. The amount of time it will take you to process your grief cannot be predicted. It's crucial to avoid placing blame on yourself or feeling pressure to get over it.

Bereave yourself in your own time and manner. Talk about your emotions with your partner and other family members. Journaling your feelings could also be beneficial. Ask your doctor to recommend a trauma-related counsellor if you struggle to manage.

Moreover, you can speak with a counsellor if you experience postpartum depression symptoms like depression, lack of interest and desire, difficulty in sleep, relationship dilemmas etc. Furthermore, you can join a pregnancy loss support group and get mental peace. You can also find an online support group via social media. 

Final Thoughts 

After a stillbirth, physical and emotional recovery might take a few months. But remember, it's not the end; women who experience stillbirth can attempt to have healthy children. So don't lose hope and be patient with yourself as you pass the stages of grief.

Get in touch with Antenate if you have any questions regarding this article. We’re always here for you.  Moreover, you can talk to our Fertility Expert and Gynecologist, Dr Shesha Sinha, regarding any issues such as fertility, gestation, pregnancy loss, menopause etc.