The baby

It is believed to be a good idea to encourage the mother to hold her baby. Pictures will be taken and if the mother does not want them immediately, they will be kept safe in case she changes her mind later. If, a few months after the event, she still does not want them, then they may be destroyed.

The parents are also encouraged to name the child. A discussion with parents is held on the subject of the kind of ceremony they would want for disposal of the baby's body. They may opt for a formal funeral or probably cremation.

Of-course this part of the process is largely influenced by cultural and personal views and may differ widely for different people in different communities.

Most hospitals have dedicated counselors to deal with such a situation. In the immediate aftermath, a counselor will be available to explain things and answer questions. On discharge from hospital, the parents will normally be put in touch with the various support groups within their locality.

An appointment to see their obstetrician will be made, usually within six to twelve weeks. It is at this visit that the parents will have an opportunity to know the results of the various tests and to have their many questions answered.

Stillbirth recurrence

Unlike miscarriage, stillbirth is fortunately a very uncommon occurrence. A recurrence, although possible in theory, is exceedingly rare.

However, it is the duty of the attending obstetrician to counsel each affected woman on the basis of the evidence relevant to her particular case. If the cause of death was not established, then all the doctor can offer is reassurance on the basis of statistics.

Statistics undoubtedly show that recurrence will be extremely unlikely. Nonetheless, the subsequent pregnancy will be classified as "high risk" and prenatal care will be intensive.

Where cause of stillbirth is identified

When the cause of stillbirth is identified, advice to the bereaved parents is relatively simpler. This is because it will be based on what is known about that specific cause of death.

· If it was a one-off freak occurrence (such as a cord accident), then reassurance will be given on that basis.

· If it is a residual problem such as anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS), then the mother will be made aware of the steps to be taken next time round, to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.

· If it is a treatable condition (such as syphilis infection), then treatment will be given.

Timing of conception after stillbirth

After stillbirth many mothers will sooner or later want to try for another baby. For the vast majority of cases, the advice is to try as soon as she feels psychologically and emotionally ready.

Physically, there is usually no contraindication for another pregnancy. The rare exceptions are in situations where a serious maternal condition such as chronic renal failure led to the stillbirth. The advice then may be to defer until the condition has been stabilized, or she may be advised to abandon the idea altogether. Such cases are the exception rather than the rule.

Stillbirth support

There are many organizations dedicated to providing support to parents and families that have been affected by stillbirth. Some of these are large national and international organizations. Others are local. A list of some of these organizations with their contact details and links is provided here: