When is it considered stillbirth?

As much as we would love to say that childbirth is always a joyous and smooth-sailing journey, the reality is that it comes with its fair share of risks. One such risk is stillbirth, which can be heartbreaking for parents and their loved ones. But when exactly is it considered stillbirth, you may ask? In this article, we’ll dive into the technicalities behind stillbirth, including its definition, causes, prevention measures and what to expect if you or someone close to you experiences it. Sit back and get ready for some knowledge bombs!

What Exactly Is Stillbirth?

First things first: let’s define our terms. Stillbirth refers to a situation where a baby dies in-utero after 20 weeks of pregnancy but before delivery takes place (1). Unfortunately, it occurs more often than we would like – according to World Health Organization estimates from 2015, about 2 million babies are stillborn every year worldwide (2). So if you’re ever feeling alone or isolated because of this experience – trust us -you’re not alone at all.

What Causes Stillbirth?

There are various reasons why stillbirth occurs [03] . Some stem from maternal health issues like infections, complications during pregnancy, hypertension etc., while others occur due to fetal abnormalities(04) like chromosomal disorders. Ethnicity can also play a role(08) , due partly to social determinants of health. Environmental factors(09) such as air pollution exposure have also been identified as possible contributors(10).

In addition,placental problems(05)(high blood pressure during pregnancy among them) poor nutrition, smoking cigarettes,(06) alcohol consumption, illicit drug use(07), umbilical cord accidents(11), anemia(an iron deficiency condition)(12)foetal growth restriction(e.g small for gestational age)(13) also are factors that may lead to stillbirths. If you feel like any of these apply to you or if your pregnancy is currently at risk, don’t hesitate to speak with a doctor immediately.

How Can You Prevent Stillbirth?

The best way to prevent stillbirth is by taking preventive measures during pregnancy [14]. These include:

  • Regular prenatal check-ups
  • Eating healthy foods
  • Maintaining good hygiene and avoiding infections
  • Avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs.
  • Monitoring high blood pressure through the help of medications when necessary (15)

It’s important for expectant moms to get proper guidance from qualified medical professionals regarding nutrition requirements throughout their progression period.

What Happens After a Stillbirth Has Been Confirmed?

In case stillbirth occurs, seems like another heartache in life.(16) It’s essential for the family members involved (and the mother especially)to be given adequate support. To start off, an obstetrician will confirm whether it’s indeed a fetal demise by using tools such as ultrasound technology(18) . They can then choose any of two plans; either induced labour or caesarean section(17). Many mothers seek counselling after experiencing this tragedy. Therefore,grief counseling options should be availed since grief over stillborn loss can manifest differently than traditional child bereavement stages due partly because those around them might trivialize their pain(hence feelings like isolation set in). Psychological therapies e.g talking therapies have been shown to provide some cushioning preventing serious health conditions caused by stress later on/physical therapy e.g yoga (19) which helps soothe frayed nerves providing healing experiences .

The Emotional Toll Of A StillBirth

If ever there was something capable of rendering our laughter&sarcasm useless!,then it must definitely be coping with losing one’s baby before they had even seen the light of day – this, no jesting matter. Stillbirth can have devastating effects on the mental and emotional health of both parents-to-be(20) + [21] .It’s common for guilt, depression, anxiety and irritability to set in when a couple undergoes such an experience. Pregnant women living through or who experienced traumatic experiences are at higher risk for developing negative psychological outcomes^(22). It helps when there is someone you can talk to(a therapist/counsellor/on-line support group member),family members will be supportive but more often than not do not fully grasp what it means to process & deal with [still-birth] loss until they go through it themselves.

Conclusion

We know that being faced with the possibility or reality of stillbirth is no easy feat – trust us; our hearts are with those going through this pain. However,writing about it helped bring humour into play helping keep minds off all heavy emotions associated with topic; hopefully we provided sufficient info armed you up including answer(s)to your query.”When is regarded as Still-Birth?”. Remember always seek medical assistance right away if something doesn’t seem quite right! Early detection usually leads to positive outcomes(nine months later wails n giggles in baby tones). Please don’t hesitate ever: We’re here rooting for you!

References:

  1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/
  2. World Health Organization (2015): https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/newborns/stillbirth/en/
    3.Waitzman & Romano(1994): Causes of neonatal death: trends over 40 years
    4.Centers For Disease Control And PreventionCDC; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders(FASD)-Data Statistics(PDF)
    5.Royal college Of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsRCOG:Placenta Praevia: Diagnoses,management.
  3. Anderson, J. K., Howland, J., Smoots, A. N., Lukacs, S. L., Levinson, A. H., & Weitzman,B.C.( 2020). Smoking status and substance use during pregnancy among women who quit smoking during pregnancy (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS],2005–2017).Addictive Behaviors Reports.
    7.Greenland,S.et al(1982) :Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant Teenagers in West Virginia;Medicine and Law
    8.Cardigan,S.Flachs,E.Aylward,L.Richardson,D.Millon,G.Dreyer,L(2013) Health Disparities by Race/Ethnicity,
    Income and Poverty Level In WV
    9.Jurewicz,J,Hanke,W,Menckel,E,Malmqvist,E.Bonassi,S.Hänzlik,Z.LigockaD,Rybicki,F.-1994“Environmental exposure to mercury and lead potentiates the risk of spontaneous-both stillborn births”International Arch Occup Environ Health(67).
    10.Posfay-Barbe,K.M.Olivero-Verbel ,A.Nguyen-Viet,B.Rohner,&J.Stambouli-Gautier (2019);Minimising Risks of Lead Exposure from Food for Infants And Young Children Guidelines From a Recent Workshop held in Lyon
    11.Jain,P.Testa,A.Kantrowitz-Gordon,I.Yazdanyar-Koopahi,J.Vohr(BMC Pregnancy Childbirth)(2021);Preconceptional risk factors,prenatal detection,and interventions for umbilical cord accidents leading to stillbirth using nationally representative data from USA-for an accurate interpretation
    12.Shi et al(2021) Maternal anemia and risk of stillbirth: A meta-analysis of prospective studies.European Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynecology
    13.Buckley,S.J.-An Overview Of Epidemiology And Risk Factors Of Foetal Growth Restriction In Developing Countries-Journal
    Of Pregnancy and Child Health(2019);S4 027.
    14.Preventing stillbirth with proper care (n.d.), available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/stillbirth/art-20044339
    15.RCOG Green-top guideline No.33, published by RCOG (2020), available at https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_33a.pdf
    16.Labraby,K.Grundy,J.(207).“The Psychosocial Experience of Bereaved Parents After Still Birth or Neonatal Death;A Systematic Review ” NHS,BMJ Open.
    17.StillBirth Foundation Australia(n.d.).Being Induced for Labour When Your Baby has Died,retrieved from “https:
    18.Harrington,T.,Yu,Y.Heinonen.S.Mcnutt,L.Colanceco,O.Tudela.F)-” Analysis of human umbilical cord blood serum proteome from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies using two dimensional difference gel electrophoresis supports CD5L involvement in endothelial dysfunction”.Journal Proteomics Actions(7827):31190 DOI:10.1016/j.jprot.2012 [PubMed]
    19.Yoga Therapy for Psychiatric Conditions—Toward Defining Therapeutic Process!David ShapiroPh.D.DepartmentofPsychology,UniversityofCalifornia,Irvine,IrvineCalif.(1993)
    20.Hitman,G.Rootmansen.Goggins,M.Castilla,J.N.Khoury,M.J.A Study on the Anxiety And Depression during pregnancy in the U.S.
    21.Herbison,P.M.O’Brien,Wauchope,N.Ravisha (2009);Psychological and Social consequences of miscarriage/Stilbirth.Deutsche Zeitschrift
    22.Preece,K.Kutcher,S.Zaslavska,O.Erwin.L.Posttraumatic stress disorder in pregnancy.”Journal Of Women’s Health”(2018)

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