Types, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Treatment

Overview

Losing a baby between the 20th week of pregnancy and delivery is called stillbirth. If they lose their baby before the 20th week, it is usually known as a miscarriage. Stillbirth can be distressing for parents, as many stillbirths occur during normal pregnancies. The cause is unknown in about one-third of cases.placental or umbilical cord problems, infections, high blood pressure, birth defects, or a poor lifestyle can cause stillbirth. Most women who suffer a stillbirth are able to give birth to healthy babies in subsequent pregnancies.

This blog details stillbirth, its causes, symptoms, complications, risk factors, treatment and prevention.

What is stillbirth?

A stillbirth is the death of a baby after the 20th week of pregnancy. The baby may have died in utero weeks or hours before delivery. Babies rarely die during labor. Even with years of improved prenatal care, stillbirth can still occur.When ultrasound, doctors can determine the heartbeat of the baby in the womb. If you do not notice a heartbeat and determine that your baby has died, you can use various methods of delivery, including induction of labor.

What type of stillbirth?

Doctors classify stillbirths into three types. They are early stillbirth, late stillbirth, or term stillbirth. Doctors determine the type by counting the gestational age.

  • premature stillbirth It occurs when the fetus dies between the 20th and 27th weeks of pregnancy.
  • late stillbirth – Occurs when the fetus dies between 28 and 36 weeks of gestation.
  • full-term stillbirth – Occurs when the fetus dies after 37 weeks of gestation.

What are the symptoms of stillbirth?

Stillbirth usually has no warning signs. However, the following symptoms may indicate a problem.

  • Vaginal bleeding, especially late pregnancy, which may indicate baby problems. If a woman bleeds, she should immediately consult a doctor.But many women suffer vaginal bleeding During their pregnancies, they continue to have successful pregnancies.
  • Lack of movement or changes in the baby’s normal activity.

When Should Women See a Doctor?

Women should consult a doctor if they have the above symptoms.

What Causes Stillbirth?

Doctors need to know the causes of stillbirths to help parents grieving. The cause of about one third of stillbirths is not always known. However, the following are possible causes:

  • Complications of pregnancy and labor It causes nearly one third of stillbirths. This includes premature birth, twin or triplet pregnancies, and separation of the placenta, which supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the uterus.
  • placental problemsOccurs in about a quarter of stillbirths, including insufficient blood flow to the placenta.
  • Developmental abnormalities – Genetic or structural defects in the fetus can cause more than one in ten stillbirths.
  • infection – Fetal, placental, or maternal infection can cause stillbirth.
  • umbilical cord problem It can cause about 1 in 10 stillbirths. For example, the umbilical cord may become entangled and cut off oxygen supply to the fetus.
  • high blood pressure – Some types of high blood pressure can cause stillbirth. This may include chronic high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia (a condition with high blood pressure associated with pregnancy).
  • Medical conditions of pregnant women – conditions such as Diabetesheart disease, thyroid disease, or viral/bacterial infections can cause stillbirth.
  • LupusPregnant women with lupus are at risk of stillbirth.
  • coagulopathy – pregnant woman Blood clotting disorders such as hemophilia at significant risk of stillbirth.
  • lifestyle choice like that Drinking alcohol, using recreational drugs, smoking
  • Trauma like that Car accidents can cause stillbirths.

What are the risk factors for stillbirth?

The following risk factors can increase the chance of stillbirth in women:

  • smoking
  • previous stillbirth
  • obesity
  • alcohol or drug abuse
  • Women with multiple births (twins or more)
  • Women under 15 or over 35
  • Poor antenatal care.
  • malnourished woman
  • pre-existing health.
  • obesity (Body Mass Index of 30 or higher).

How is stillbirth treated?

If the baby dies before birth, doctors usually have many options for delivering the baby. In some cases, doctors don’t need to use these options right away unless the woman is suffering from medical complications.

Doctors usually wait for the woman to give birth. For most stillbirths, vaginal delivery can be done after labor is induced, unless a caesarean section is required for a specific health problem.

In the case of a stillbirth, a woman can ask for special arrangements before giving birth. This may include a private room or a room separate from other pregnant women giving birth. A woman can see the baby and name her. As with any delivery, women may experience breast swelling. depression, episiotomy discomfort, and other post-stillbirth problems. The combination of physical and emotional recovery can seem overwhelming.

Stillbirth is emotionally difficult.a licensed counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist We can help women and their families get through this difficult time. Women can feel guilty. They must remember that they are rarely responsible for stillbirths. They are usually in deep grief, anger, and confusion.baby death affects marriageseconds.a mental health Professional or group support can provide great support for women in overcoming these difficult times.

Can women prevent stillbirth?

Women cannot prevent stillbirth because many factors are out of their control. However, you should take the following steps to mitigate the risk.

  • Get a checkup before they get pregnant again. If you suffer from risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you can consult your doctor to manage and monitor it during your pregnancy.
  • Get regular prenatal care.
  • Avoid smoking and using alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs during pregnancy.
  • Protect yourself from infections.
  • If genetic factors were the cause of previous stillbirths, see a genetic counselor before getting pregnant again.
  • See your doctor right away if you experience bleeding or other troublesome signs during your pregnancy.
  • Report any vaginal bleeding or pain to your doctor immediately.
  • Sleep on your side, not your back. Sleeping on your back may increase the risk of stillbirth in women over 28 weeks pregnant.

Doctors monitor women frequently if pregnancy is at high risk. A doctor can save a baby’s life, so if a baby shows signs of distress, they can take emergency measures, such as premature birth.

Conclusion

A baby is stillborn if it dies before or during delivery. Doctors usually detect stillbirth when the baby’s heart stops beating with an ultrasound scan. Women who have had a stillbirth are at increased risk of another stillbirth. Nonetheless, women can get pregnant and give birth to healthy babies after a stillbirth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happens after a stillborn baby dies?

If your baby dies before birth, you have three options. They include induced labor, natural labor, and caesarean section.

2. How long will the recovery take?

Physical recovery depends on many factors. However, it usually takes about 6-8 weeks. Placental delivery activates hormones that produce milk in women. She will be able to breastfeed for 7-10 days before she produces milk, and you can be given medication to reduce her milk production.

3. Will a stillbirth lead to infertility?

A stillbirth does not make you infertile.

4. When should a woman see a doctor after a natural or induced labor?

A woman may have a follow-up appointment with her doctor several weeks after the stillbirth.

https://healthlibrary.askapollo.com/stillbirth-types-symptoms-causes-risk-factors-and-treatment/ Types, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Treatment

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