Stillbirth is a complex outcome with many potential causes, and in many cases the exact reason remains unknown. Broadly, causes fall into several categories:
- Pregnancy and labor factors
- Preterm labor or prolonged pregnancy (post-term pregnancy)
- Placental problems (insufficient blood flow, placental abruption, placental insufficiency)
- Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets) with added risk
- Complications during labor and delivery
- Placental and fetal issues
- Placental dysfunction or inflammation
- Fetal growth restriction (inadequate fetal growth)
- Fetal genetic or congenital anomalies
- Infections
- Maternal, placental, or fetal infections (e.g., certain bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections)
- Umbilical cord problems
- Nuchal cord, knots, or compression can reduce oxygen delivery
- Maternal health and chronic conditions
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), preeclampsia
- Diabetes or autoimmune conditions
- Obesity, thyroid disorders, thrombophilia
- Inadequate or abnormal immune or inflammatory responses
- Environmental and lifestyle factors
- Substance use (e.g., alcohol, certain drugs)
- Severe malnutrition or significant exposure to toxins (depending on context)
- Unexplained stillbirth
- A large proportion of stillbirths have no clearly identifiable cause even after thorough investigation; some studies report that up to roughly half to 60% of cases remain unexplained, with variables such as timing and combination of factors contributing to the outcome
What this means for individuals
- If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy and have concerns about stillbirth risk, it’s important to discuss with a healthcare provider who can review medical history, order appropriate prenatal testing, monitor fetal growth, and manage any chronic conditions.
- Routine prenatal care, screening tests, managing chronic diseases, avoiding harmful substances, and recognizing warning signs (such as decreased fetal movement, severe headache, swelling, vision changes) are critical.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific context (for example, risks during late pregnancy, risk factors for a twin pregnancy, or how stillbirth is investigated after it occurs) and summarize guidance from reputable health sources.
