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Naturally, when such a pregnancy is identified, close monitoring measures will be
initiated and this may culminate in hospital admission or even intervention in the
form of early delivery. This described scenario is usually a case of obscure placental
insufficiency. There could be other potential risky conditions which can only be
identified through regular antenatal care. These include such conditions as diabetes
or pre-
There is no doubt that the much higher rates of stillbirth seen in developing countries
are largely due to poor or sometimes non-
In societies where this service is readily available, quite often free, the mother has a duty to herself and her unborn baby to play her part by regular attendance at the prenatal clinic.
Environmental causes of stillbirth
Despite extensive studies in this area, no concrete evidence has been found that any environmental pollutants (except massive radiation) can lead to stillbirth.
Ofcourse massive radiation as happened in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Chernobyl is a recognised lethal pollution which led to many cases of stillbirth.
Our understanding of role of pollution in general in stillbirth may change in future as we gain more knowledge of the effects of environmental pollution. After all, about half of all stillbirths are still going unexplained.
What happens after stillbirth
This is usually a very difficult time. There is an initial explanation and counseling is offered. Ideally, the mother should have her partner or another person who is close to her with her. Plans of delivery will be discussed and normally this will be vaginal unless there is a contraindication to this, where a caesarean section may have to be undertaken.
The process of investigating the cause of death may begin soon after the diagnosis. This may be in the form of amniocentesis (taking fluid from around the baby). This is done early to maximize the chance of successfully culturing the fetal cells. This is to investigate possible chromosomal abnormalities. Other (blood) tests will normally be deferred until later.
Options will normally be given as to the time and day of labor induction and some mothers opt to go home first for a day or two before being admitted for induction of labor.
Post-mortem examination (autopsy) after stillbirth
Unless the cause of fetal death is definitely known, the parents will be advised
to have a post-
Breast-milk production after stillbirth
The extent of milk production will depend largely on how advanced the pregnancy was. If the baby is lost late in the third trimester, there is full lactation and breast engorgement is a problem which will need to be addressed. This could be conservatively managed or medication can be given over a course of two weeks, sometimes longer, to suppress lactation.