Complications

Stillbirths

A stillbirth occurs in 4 of 9 cases out of about 1,000 births, and it is legally defined as a baby born after 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy, but with no signs of life at any time after birth, including breathing or show of any signs of life. If the baby is born before week 20 then it is called a miscarriage.

The doctor or midwife who is present at the moment when a still birth baby has born, had to examine the baby to issue a medical certificate of still birth, because the register office has to be notified. When a still birth occurs, it is often associated to problems with the baby, usually a chromosome abnormality.

The number of chromosomes in normal babies are 45, but some babies are found with either too few or too many chromosomes leading to still birth, although there is also the probability of a birth defect affecting the baby's brain, kidneys, heart or any other part of the baby. Babies who are found with birth defects may not survive.

In a considerable number of cases, infections are the triggering factor leading to still birth. When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with a sexual transmitted disease (STD) such as cytomegalovirus, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, herpes, or any other, the infection may harm the fetus, causing the baby not to survive, particularly when the mother's membranes are ruptured.

Viruses and bacteria from the vagina may rise into her womb harming the baby and increasing the baby chances not to survive. These chances are also increased when the mother has any untreated, under-treated or uncontrolled disease, such as diabetes, severe high blood pressure, etc., or when a woman's body creates antibodies against her own immunity system during pregnancy.

Some common antibodies associated with the baby not surviving are called the antiphospholipid antibodies, but along with them, the use of recreational drugs and other non-recommended activities or lifestyles can lead to still birth. Alcohol, smoking and the use of cocaine and other drugs, are the cause of miscarriage, still birth, birth defects or congenital malformations and other lifelong illness if the baby survives.

However, still birth can also be the result of an accident in which the baby starts bleeding into the mother's womb without any external sign, or not detected in time, making the baby not survive. Whatever the reason causing stillbirth, the diagnosis is made when a baby is born prematurely or when the pregnant mother stops feeling the baby's movement and a clinical check up or ultrasound reveals the still birth.