How common is stillbirth after 37 weeks?
The risk of stillbirth at term increases with gestational age from 2.1 per 10,000 ongoing pregnancies at 37 weeks of gestation up to 10.8 per 10,000 ongoing pregnancies at 42 weeks of gestation.
What causes a stillbirth at 37 weeks?
A stillbirth is the death of a baby in the womb after week 20 of the mother’s pregnancy. The reasons go unexplained for 1/3 of cases. The other 2/3 may be caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, high blood pressure, infections, birth defects, or poor lifestyle choices.
Do stillborn babies go full term?
Many stillbirths occur at full term to apparently healthy mothers, and a postmortem evaluation reveals a cause of death in about 40% of autopsied cases. About 10% of cases are believed to be due to obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Other risk factors include: bacterial infection, like syphilis.
What causes late stillbirth?
Common causes include infections, birth defects and pregnancy complications, like preeclampsia. You can have tests to try to find out what caused your baby’s death and try to prevent another stillbirth in your next pregnancy.
What is the difference between stillborn and stillbirth?
Stillbirth can be diagnosed by ultrasound examination to show that the baby’s heart is no longer beating. After delivery, the baby is found to be stillborn if there are no signs of life such as breathing, heartbeat, and movements.
Do you have to deliver a stillborn baby?
In many cases, there is no need to do this immediately unless you have medical complications. However, your doctor will want to schedule a time in the near future for you to deliver. Most stillborn babies can be delivered vaginally after induction of labor, unless there are specific reasons for cesarean delivery.
How can I prevent stillbirth?
Reducing the risk of stillbirth
- Go to all your antenatal appointments. It’s important not to miss any of your antenatal appointments.
- Eat healthily and keep active.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid alcohol in pregnancy.
- Go to sleep on your side.
- Tell your midwife about any drug use.
- Have the flu jab.
- Avoid people who are ill.
How can I avoid stillbirth?