"This Series now authoritatively identifies stillbirth as one of the most shamefully neglected
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What is Stillbirth?
Stillbirth is defined as pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation. Stillbirth can occur during delivery or during the later stages of pregnancy. "Each year in the United States nearly 26,000 babies are stillborn. Most of these babies are of viable gestational age." (www.stopstillbirthasap.org) |
"Approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth in the United States". That's approximately 71 stillborn babies each day and thousands of American families impacted by this tragedy. Up to half of the time, the reason for the stillbirth is never known."
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Stillbirth Risk Factors:
Advanced Maternal Age Nulliparity (no previous birth) Maternal Obesity Genetic abnormalities Previous stillbirth History of preterm delivery Maternal smoking/drug abuse Multiple gestation Poor prenatal care Post-term pregnancy Infection in the mother or fetus Chronic health conditions in the mother (such as diabetes, epilepsy, or high blood pressure) Umbilical cord problems |
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