6 Ways To Reduce The Risk Of Stillbirth

Parenthood changes the life of every couple and then they wish for a smooth delivery and a healthy child. Pregnancy comes with a lot of excitement, risks, and challenges. There are many fears in the minds of the parent, especially stillbirth. This is a very fearsome part for the parents to undergo. Stillbirth is a condition in which the baby is either born dead or dies at the time of delivery. This is shattering specifically for the mother and takes a lot of time for her to come out of it. Even though science has developed by leaps and bounds yet cannot detect if the child is prone to stillbirth or not. Stillbirth is risky and mostly found in women with high blood pressure or diabetes, though not mandatory. Only knowing about this condition is not enough, it is also important to know how to avoid stillbirth.

Going forward we will be studying about the same.

What Is A Stillbirth?

Stillbirth refers to a medical condition where the baby is born dead or dies at the time of delivery. It can be defined as fetal death at 20-28 weeks or after that. It results in a baby born without any signs of life.

If the baby is born alive but dies shortly after birth, it is also considered a stillbirth. The baby dies in the womb post 20 weeks of pregnancy. Most of the stillbirths take place before a pregnant person goes into labor, few cases do happen during labor and birth as well¹.

A stillbirth has three stages:

• Early Stillbirth- When a fetus dies within 20-27 weeks of pregnancy
• Late Stillbirth- The death of a fetus between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy
• Term Stillbirth- When a fetus dies after the 37th week of pregnancy

Related Reading: 10 Danger Signs Of Pregnancy To Watch Out For

What Are The Causes Of Stillbirth?

A stillbirth can occur with any pregnant woman at any age, ethnicity, or background. Dr Ankita Patel Tayal, our panel gynaecologist, says that most of these deaths cannot be predicted and are unexplainable as well. Preventing stillbirth in the third trimester is also not an option as there is no certainty for the same, that there is a way to avoid it. One can only take precautions to prevent a stillbirth.  The stillbirth rate is also on the rise in the past few years.

According to a source the causes of stillbirth are given below:

1. Problems with umbilical cord or placenta

The placenta lies in the uterus during pregnancy. This is the organ that supplies oxygen, blood, and nutrients with the umbilical cord to the fetus. So, in case of any issue with the placenta, there can be problems with the development of the child. According to one study, placental problems were the most common cause of stillbirths that took place after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

2. Lupus

The risk of stillbirth increases for women who have lupus, an auto-immune disease. There is a 20% chance that pregnant women who have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) will suffer fetal loss (miscarriage or stillbirth). Approximately 90% of people with SLE are women, and 80% develop it during their reproductive years².

3. Clotting disorder

Any expectant mother who has any blood clotting disorder, also known as hemophilia, can be at a higher risk of having a stillbirth.

4. Preeclampsia

This is a condition of swelling and high blood pressure that mostly occurs in the later stages of pregnancy. Pregnant women with preeclampsia have double the risk of stillbirth or placental abruption.

5. Birth defects

There is a known link between birth defects and stillbirth. In more than one out of every ten stillbirths, the fetus has a genetic or structural defect that causes death.

6. Infection

There are a few common infections during pregnancy, but they pose no harm to the fetus. However, if there is any infection from 24-27 weeks, it can result in fetal death. Common bacterial infections that travel from the vagina to the fetus are E.coli, mycoplasma, etc. Apart from this, malaria, rubella, flu, Lyme, etc are some other infections that can harm the unborn fetus.

7. The medical condition of the mother

Illnesses that can result in stillbirth are heart ailments, viral or bacterial infection, diabetes, etc. Controllable risk factors for stillbirth include maternal blood glucose levels and body mass index (BMI). The mother’s health problems, such as diabetes, were associated with many stillbirths.

8. Trauma

Very unfortunate but car crashes or trauma of the same type results in stillbirth. Fetal deaths related to maternal trauma are most commonly caused by motor vehicle crashes³.

9. ICP or a liver disorder

In nearly 3% of pregnancies, a liver disease occurs, and severe and persistent liver diseases during pregnancy can be fatal. A condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder related to pregnancy and is known to spike pregnancy complications like sudden fetal death. Feeling itchy on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet might be a sign of ICP. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of those symptoms.

10. Lifestyle

The lifestyle of the pregnant woman has an important role to play. One should follow our tips to enjoy pregnancy and feel happy. In case the pregnant woman is accustomed to smoking, alcohol, or using recreational drugs, she has a high chance of stillbirth. It is found that the risk of stillbirth doubles or triples if pregnant women smoke tobacco, use marijuana, take prescription painkillers, or use illegal drugs⁴.

Apart from the major ones, some additional ones are⁵:

• One who has a poor prenatal care
• Ones who are malnourished 
• Ones with multiple births 
• Ones who conceive later than 35 or older
• With a body mass index above 30 
• Financial, emotional, or other personal stress during a woman’s pregnancy increases her risk of stillbirth

Can The Food I Eat Prevent Stillbirth?

No evidence states that eating a particular food helps to avoid stillbirth. Yet few foods are not advised for a healthy pregnancy. Some of them are listed as under⁶:

• Liver products 
• Duck, goose, or quail eggs 
• Limiting or avoiding herbal teas as well as caffeinated drugs 
• Raw or undercooked meat 
• Raw or half-cooked eggs
• Shark, raw shellfish
• Ripened soft cheese 
• Unpasteurized milk and its products      

Related Reading: 18 Foods That Can Cause Miscarriage In Early Pregnancy

Can You Prevent A Stillbirth?

Preventing a stillbirth is not possible as the cause behind it is the improper growth and development of the baby. This can be reduced by improving the health of the mother, making better lifestyle choices, and improving the chances for a successful and healthy pregnancy.

6 Ways To Avoid A Stillbirth 

There is no specific reason for stillbirth to happen and the reason is not understood. One cannot prevent it but there are ways of “how to reduce stillbirth” or to “avoid stillbirth”. Few steps that can be taken for increasing the chances of having a healthy baby are⁷:

1. Quit smoking and alcohol

Smoking is dangerous and one needs to quit it. Even passive smoking is not advisable. If one is habitual of smoking, there are fair chances of having problems quitting it, but taking nicotine patches helps increase the chances of having a healthy baby. There is more risk of stillbirth if the smoking is continued after the first trimester. Dr Ankita Patel Tayal, obstetrician & gynaecologist, warns that consumption of alcohol and drugs can restrict the growth and development of the child and increase miscarriage or stillbirth and for that matter even consumption of red wine during pregnancy is not recommended.

2. Watch your child’s movements

It is vital to keep a track of the baby’s kicks in the womb, throughout pregnancy but predominantly in the third trimester. One should be aware of these trimester wise signs of healthy baby in the womb. If the kicking movements get too little or more it is better to consult a doctor. In such a situation doctors can resort to C-section if they feel something is not normal thereby reducing the chances of stillbirth.

Related Reading: 7 Tricks To Get A Baby Moving In The Womb

3. Maintain a healthy diet

Pregnancy is a time for cravings, and it is also important to fulfill them. Yet it is advisable to satiate the healthy ones and reduce the unhealthy ones. Having a balanced diet is critical for the healthy and proper growth of the child. It is the healthy food choices that the mother consumes that help in the development of the child. Food rich in minerals and nutrients also offers strength to the mother to undergo the painful and exhaustive delivery process and that’s where our list of superfoods during pregnancy is very helpful. Thus, eating right is very important.

4. Increase the consumption of folic acid

Folic acid is very important for pregnancy. It is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. Having folic acid helps to reduce the risks of neural defects. It is recommended by the doctors throughout pregnancy. It should be supplemented with vitamins as they are beneficial for both the mother as well as the baby reducing the risks of stillbirth.

5. Exercise

Exercising during pregnancy helps us in keeping fit and is the key to a healthy pregnancy. Exercising 30 minutes daily or as advised by doctors. The exercises should be moderate and not too strenuous. Even walking during pregnancy has many benefits and so does, yoga and meditation. Yoga helps in improving breathing and is advised for all pregnant women. Intake of alcohol and drugs can inhibit the growth and development of your child and increase the chances of stillbirth and miscarriage. Being overweight can lead to problems in pregnancy.

Related Reading: Being Overweight During Pregnancy- 10 Potential Complications

6. Go for the regular check-ups

It is important to be regular with your routine or antenatal check-ups. The appointments help in assessing problems that can happen later.

Rather than the above six, other ways that help to reduce are:

• Sleeping sideways and not on the back after 28 weeks or more is also advisable. It has been suggested that sleeping on your back can cause the flow of oxygen and blood to obstruct the baby and increases the risk of stillbirth
• If you experience any bleeding during the second leg of your pregnancy, or if you have taken any street drugs like heroin or cocaine, contact a healthcare specialist
• Practice the kick count, getting familiar with the baby’s movements at 26-28 weeks. Once you understand what is normal, report anything that is outside the normal number

Apart from adopting means to reduce the chances of stillbirth, it is also important to watch out for the warning signs of stillbirth. Let us be vigilant for the signs below as they indicate contacting the maternity unit as soon as possible.

The below cases are:

• Baby’s movements have reduced or changed
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• You have bleeding from your vagina
• Swelling, acute headache, or blurred vision
• Itching all over the body that worsens at night

Thus, stillbirth is a serious loss, and all prevention measures should be adopted so that the pregnancy can be a healthy and successful one. Be careful from the start. Report any change that is different from normal to your doctor. Also, stay fit, eat healthily, and be cautious about getting a healthy baby in life.

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