Stillbirth: Causes and symptoms of stillbirth

What is a stillbirth?

A stillbirth is when your child is born without any signs of life, such as heartbeat or breathing, and it already weighs 500 grams or more. If the weight is less than 500 grams, it is called a miscarriage . Fortunately, stillbirths are relatively rare in Germany. According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, it is estimated that there are 2.4 stillbirths for every 1,000 newborns. In other countries, especially in Africa and South Asia, the number is much higher, which is primarily due to the poorer medical care there.

How can a stillbirth happen?

There are several causes that can lead to a stillbirth. In most cases, a stillborn baby died during pregnancy. However, sometimes the baby may die when labor begins or during delivery. The most well-known causes include:

• Dysfunction or detachment of the placenta
• physical or genetic malformations in your child
• Rh intolerance
• chronic diseases such as diabetes
• Conditions during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia
• Infections during pregnancy, such as listeriosis or toxoplasmosis
• Smoking, alcohol and drug use
• Strong psychological stress
• Complications during childbirth, such as problems with the umbilical cord

You can prevent some of these risk factors by observing regular check-ups during pregnancy and by following a healthy lifestyle.

Are there signs of stillbirth?

If you notice that your child is not moving and you start bleeding, you should consult your doctor immediately. As with a premature birth, a stillbirth can also lead to premature labor in connection with a ruptured membrane. With a CTG and ultrasound, your doctor or midwife will examine whether your child’s heart is still beating.

What happens in a stillbirth?

Of course, when your doctor makes the sad diagnosis that your child is no longer alive, it comes as a shock. Usually, artificial labor is induced so that you can give birth to the child as quickly as possible. However, it is often possible to wait for the natural onset of labour. This is a very individual decision. While some mothers find it unbearable to continue carrying their dead baby, for others it is an important step in saying goodbye. Unless your doctor states otherwise, waiting is not dangerous for you. If you are expecting twins and only one of the children did not survive, it is even common to wait until the birth starts on its own. So the living child still has some time to develop further.

How can the cause of a stillbirth be clarified?

It is possible to have an autopsy performed on your baby. An intensive examination of the placenta can also provide information about the cause of a stillbirth. However, it is often not possible to clarify the clear cause.

Getting over a stillbirth

Processing a stillbirth takes time and is a very personal matter. Only you can decide which way of coping with grief is best for you. Many affected parents find it helpful to see, touch or dress their child after it is born. Fortunately, while stillbirth remains a taboo subject for many people, there are many ways to find emotional support and understanding today. In our article “ Grief after a Miscarriage ” we show you different ways that might help you.

What is the legal situation after a stillbirth?

Your stillborn baby will be registered at the registry office. You will receive a birth certificate and a death certificate. For many parents, this official declaration of the existence of their child is an important step in overcoming grief. If you want, you can give your child a name. The regulations for the burial of your child vary from state to state and are often regulated individually within individual municipalities. It is best to get information from your hospital or the cemetery administration. In the meantime, however, many hospitals themselves offer collective burials in connection with a funeral service for the parents.

After a stillbirth, you are entitled to the help of a midwife. She can offer you valuable emotional support during childbirth . In addition, a stillbirth falls under the statutory maternity protection . You are therefore not allowed to work in the first few weeks after the birth unless you expressly wish to do so.

Re-pregnancy after a stillbirth

If there are no medical reasons against it, you can become pregnant again after a stillbirth. Of course, this requires courage and is certainly accompanied by the fear of another stillbirth. That is normal. It is important that you give your body enough time to recover and wait until you are really ready for a new pregnancy.