Stillbirths happen for several possible reasons, and in many cases the exact cause remains unknown. Here’s a concise overview of the main factors that clinicians consider:
- Placental problems
- Placental insufficiency or poor blood flow, which can restrict oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
- Placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the uterus wall before birth.
- Placental infections or inflammatory processes.
- Fetal or genetic issues
- Chromosomal abnormalities or congenital anomalies that make survival outside the womb unlikely.
- Infections
- Infections in the mother, the placenta, or the fetus can contribute to stillbirth, and some infections may be asymptomatic.
- Umbilical cord problems
- Nuchal cord, knots, compression, or other cord issues that disrupt oxygen delivery.
- Pregnancy-related health conditions in the mother
- Conditions such as high blood pressure disorders (including preeclampsia), diabetes, or other chronic illnesses present before or during pregnancy.
- Other obstetric complications
- Preterm labor, multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.), and placental separation events.
- Unknown or unclear causes
- Even with extensive testing after the event, a cause is not always identifiable. Advances in research continue to improve understanding, but a sizable fraction of cases remain unexplained.
What to do if you’re pregnant or planning pregnancy
- Attend regular prenatal care visits so risks can be detected early.
- Discuss infection prevention, vaccination, and any health conditions with your clinician.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: avoid smoking and limit alcohol; manage chronic conditions with your provider.
- Seek immediate medical attention for warning signs such as vaginal bleeding, intense abdominal pain, severe headache with vision changes, swelling that’s unusual, or sudden decreases in fetal movement.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to your location or provide resources from reputable health organizations that explain stillbirth causes in more depth.
