Stillbirth Health Article

Definition

A stillbirth is when a fetus that was expected to survive dies during birth or during the late stages of pregnancy.

See also: Miscarriage

Information

Stillbirth can be caused by the following:

• Birth defects
• Illnesses
• Infections
• Injuries
• Sudden severe blood loss (hemorrhage) in the mother or fetus
• Stopping of the heartbeat (cardiac arrest) in the mother or fetus
• Uterine problems (placental detachment, poor placental function, or intrauterine growth restriction)