Losing your beloved baby during pregnancy is an incredibly painful and difficult experience for a mother or father to bear. Words cannot describe the questions, sadness, anger, and guilt that arise in the mind when faced with such a tragic event. In this article, we will try to explain this sensitive topic, that is, the condition called 'Stillbirth', in a simple and kind way.
What exactly is stillbirth?
Simply put, a stillbirth is the death of a baby in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy . The loss of a baby before 20 weeks of pregnancy is usually called a miscarriage.
This condition is quite rare. It occurs in about one in 200 pregnancies. It can be a huge shock to parents, as it can happen even in a healthy pregnancy, when most of the time there is no problem.
But here we must say something very important and comforting. Most mothers who have experienced a stillbirth are able to have a successful subsequent pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby. Generally, there is a greater than 90% chance that the subsequent pregnancy will be successful. If this happened due to some chromosomal problems or a problem with the umbilical cord, the risk of it happening again is low. However, if this happened due to a chronic illness in the mother or a genetic disorder in the parents, the risk may be slightly higher.
What can cause a stillbirth?
In fact, about half of all reported stillbirths have no identifiable cause. That's the saddest part of it. However, in cases where a cause is identified, there are several key factors that contribute to it.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Birth defects | Chromosomal abnormalities in the child's body or chromosomes. |
| Umbilical cord problems | The baby's oxygen supply is cut off due to knots in the umbilical cord, tight wrapping around the baby's neck or arm, or the umbilical cord coming out of the vagina before the baby is born (prolapsed cord) . |
| Placenta problems | Conditions such as placental abruption, where the placenta, which nourishes the baby, separates from the uterine wall before the due date. |
| Mother's medical conditions | The mother has diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, especially high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) . |
| Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) | Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IGR) is a condition in which the baby's growth is restricted in the womb due to inadequate nutrition. |
| Other reasons | Infections during pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies in the mother, exposure to toxins such as pesticides or carbon monoxide, and a history of blood clotting disorders (thrombosis) in the mother or someone in the family. |
Am I at risk of having a stillbirth?
Certain factors can slightly increase the risk of stillbirth. These are called risk factors.
- If you have had an STI miscarriage in a previous pregnancy.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Smoking.
- Obesity .
- Being under 15 or over 35 years of age.
Having these risk factors does not mean you will definitely have a stillbirth. However, it is important to be aware of these, talk to your doctor, and take extra care throughout your pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of a stillbirth?
Most of the time, there are no warning signs before a stillbirth occurs. However, sometimes there are a few signs that indicate there is a problem. You should pay close attention to these.
1. Vaginal bleeding: Bleeding, especially in the second half of pregnancy, can be a sign that there is something wrong with the baby. But remember, not all bleeding during pregnancy will cause problems for the baby. However, if you have even a small amount of bleeding, talk to your doctor right away.
2. Baby's movements stop or decrease: If your baby's movements in the womb, that is, if the normal activity suddenly decreases or seems to stop completely, it can be a serious sign.
If you experience any of these symptoms, don't delay. Call your doctor as soon as possible, or go straight to the hospital.
After a child is lost, how do you find out the reason?
After a tragic event like this, your doctor may ask you to examine your child's body to find out why it happened. This is called an autopsy. This is done by a doctor who has been specially trained for this purpose (a pathologist). This may include things like genetic testing.
The results of these tests can provide some relief by answering the question, "Why did this happen to my baby?" and can also be helpful if you are planning your next pregnancy.
Whether or not to have these tests is a completely personal decision between you and your partner. Talk to your doctor and family about it and make a decision. Also, talking to a grief counselor who can help you cope with this type of grief will be a great help.
How do you recover physically and mentally?
After the baby is found to have died in the womb, the baby will need to be delivered. In most cases, unless the mother has an urgent health problem, this will not need to be done immediately. The doctor will choose a suitable time. Often, the baby can be delivered vaginally by inducing labor. In some special cases, a cesarean section may be necessary.
This is a very difficult time. It is not easy to bear the immense mental pain while healing physically.
Remember, a stillbirth is not caused by anything you did or didn't do. It's common to feel guilty about it, but you need to understand that it's not.
It is normal to experience feelings of sadness, anger, and confusion. This loss can even affect your marriage. Therefore, never hesitate to seek help from a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. You may also find it helpful to join a support group with other parents who have gone through similar experiences.
Can a stillbirth be prevented?
Unfortunately, stillbirths can occur without warning even in women who have no risk factors. However, pregnant women with risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure are monitored very closely by doctors. The baby's condition is checked every time the doctor sees them. These tests are done more frequently during the last part of pregnancy, and special tests such as `non-stress testing` and regular `ultrasound` scans are also used.
The most important thing every pregnant mother should do!
Even if you have no risk factors, after 26 weeks, keep a close eye on your baby's movements (kicks) several times a day. This is also called "kick counting". If you notice a change in your baby's movement pattern, such as a decrease in the number of kicks, see a doctor or go to the hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately. This could be a life-saving measure.
You will need time to recover physically and mentally before trying again. Talk to your doctor and take the necessary steps to have a healthy pregnancy.
- Seek medical advice before getting pregnant again. Take necessary vitamins such as folic acid.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking completely.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat only well-cooked food.
- Only take the medications your doctor prescribes.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. For more information on this, contact the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
Take-Home Message
- Stillbirth is an incredibly painful experience. It's normal to feel sadness, anger, and guilt. Allow yourself to feel those feelings.
- This is not your fault. Often, there is no specific reason for this. Never blame yourself.
- During pregnancy, especially after 26 weeks, always pay attention to your baby's movements (movements). If you notice any changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- After this experience, the chances of conceiving a healthy child again are very high. Don't give up hope.
- Your mental health is very important. Don't try to cope with this grief alone. Seek professional help (counseling) or a support group.
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