Stillbirth

A stillbirth is the death of a baby after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. It happens in around 1 in every 250 births in England.

If the baby dies before 24 completed weeks, it's known as a miscarriage or late fetal loss.

Contact your midwife or doctor straightaway if you are pregnant and worried about your baby – for example, if you've noticed your baby moving less than usual. Don't wait until the next day. If your baby is moving less, it can be a sign that something's wrong and needs to be checked out.

What causes stillbirth?

Some stillbirths are linked to complications with the placenta, a birth defect or with the mother's health. For others, no cause is found.

What happens when a baby dies before they're born?

If your baby has died, you may be able to wait for labour to start naturally or your labour may be induced. If your health is at risk, the baby may need to be delivered as soon as possible. It's rare for a stillborn baby to be delivered by caesarean section.

After a stillbirth

After a stillbirth, decisions about what to do are very personal. There's no right or wrong way to respond.

A specialist midwife will talk with you about what you want to do – for example, holding the baby or taking photographs. They can also discuss the tests you may be offered to find out why your baby died and give you information about registering the birth.

Can stillbirths be prevented?

Not all stillbirths can be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk, such as:

• not smoking
• avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy – these can seriously affect your baby's development, and increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
• not going to sleep on your back after 28 weeks – don't worry if you wake up on your back, just turn onto your side before you go back to sleep
• attending all your antenatal appointments so that midwives can monitor the growth and wellbeing of your baby