Stillbirth: Pregnancy and About.com Guide Updated
Stillbirth Causes
Factors Linked to Late Pregnancy Loss * placental abruption
Giving birth to a stillborn baby is every pregnant woman's worst nightmare. When it does happen, it's natural to want to understand why. Unfortunately, answers are rarely to be found -- more than 70% of stillbirths are never explained. Doctors theorize that the majority of stillbirths probably have something to do with the placenta not functioning correctly, and they have some other specific theories on what causes this devastating type of pregnancy loss.
Chromosomal or Congenital Conditions
Just as chromosomal abnormalities cause the majority of miscarriages, certain chromosomal and congenital conditions can increase the risk that a baby will be stillborn. According to the March of Dimes, birth defects are a factor in about 15 to 20% of stillbirths.
Chromosomal abnormalities are usually determined at conception, but congenital problems can be caused by environmental influences. For example, low levels of folic acid -- an important nutrient found in fortified grains and leafy green vegetables -- can increase risk of having a baby affected by neural tube defects such as anencephaly.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition in which the baby is significantly smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases, this condition can cause stillbirth or increased risk of newborn loss, perhaps due to the baby not getting enough oxygen or other important nutrients.
In standard prenatal care, doctors closely monitor a baby's growth in order to have the best chance to intervene if a baby seems at risk. Health conditions and lifestyle factors in the mother can also increase the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, and doctors screen for these problems in prenatal care, too. Some specific risk factors are preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, or smoking in pregnancy.
Placental Abruption
Placental
Factors Linked to Late Pregnancy Loss * placental abruption
Giving birth to a stillborn baby is every pregnant woman's worst nightmare. When it does happen, it's natural to want to understand why. Unfortunately, answers are rarely to be found -- more than 70% of stillbirths are never explained. Doctors theorize that the majority of stillbirths probably have something to do with the placenta not functioning correctly, and they have some other specific theories on what causes this devastating type of pregnancy loss.
Chromosomal or Congenital Conditions
Just as chromosomal abnormalities cause the majority of miscarriages, certain chromosomal and congenital conditions can increase the risk that a baby will be stillborn. According to the March of Dimes, birth defects are a factor in about 15 to 20% of stillbirths.
Chromosomal abnormalities are usually determined at conception, but congenital problems can be caused by environmental influences. For example, low levels of folic acid -- an important nutrient found in fortified grains and leafy green vegetables -- can increase risk of having a baby affected by neural tube defects such as anencephaly.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition in which the baby is significantly smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy. In severe cases, this condition can cause stillbirth or increased risk of newborn loss, perhaps due to the baby not getting enough oxygen or other important nutrients.
In standard prenatal care, doctors closely monitor a baby's growth in order to have the best chance to intervene if a baby seems at risk. Health conditions and lifestyle factors in the mother can also increase the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, and doctors screen for these problems in prenatal care, too. Some specific risk factors are preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, or smoking in pregnancy.
Placental Abruption
Placental