Signs of Stillbirth: Symptoms, Causes & Coping

Stillbirth is characterized by the loss of a baby in the womb after 20 weeks of gestation. When parents are expecting a joyful birth of their baby, they are faced with the harsh reality of delivering a baby who has passed away before entering the world. 

The World Health Organization defines stillbirth as the death of a baby before or during delivery, with no signs of life at birth.

Therefore, understanding the signs and symptoms of stillbirth is necessary for expectant parents and healthcare professionals for early intervention and, in some cases, may help prevent the tragic loss of a baby's life. 

In the subsequent sections of this blog, we will delve into the signs, symptoms, and coping mechanisms associated with stillbirth, aiming to provide valuable information and support for those who may be affected by this tragic incident.

Understanding Stillbirth

Stillbirth is unfortunately not uncommon, with global estimates indicating that approximately 2.6 million stillbirths occur annually. The prevalence varies across regions, with disparities influenced by factors such as healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and maternal health.

What are the Causes of Stillbirth?

The factors contributing to stillbirth can be broadly categorized into maternal health, fetal issues, and placental complications.

Maternal Health Factors

• Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Certain maternal health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders increase the risk of stillbirth.

• Infections: Infections during pregnancy, including bacterial or viral infections, can pose a threat to the well-being of the unborn baby.

• Maternal Age: Both advanced maternal age and teenage pregnancies are at high risk of having a stillbirth. 

Fetal Factors

• Genetic Abnormalities: In some cases, genetic abnormalities in the fetus can lead to stillbirth. 

• Developmental Issues: Problems with fetal development can contribute to stillbirth including issues with organ formation.

• Multiple Pregnancies: Twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples are at a higher risk of stillbirth due to the complexities of multiple pregnancies.

Placental Factors

• Placental Insufficiency: Insufficient blood flow to the placenta leads to insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen, leading to stillbirth.

• Placental Abruption: The premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall can result in stillbirth.

• Placental Infections: Infections affecting the placenta can compromise its function and contribute to fetal demise.

Signs and Symptoms of Stillbirth

Understanding the signs and symptoms associated with stillbirth help in early intervention and raising awareness about this crucial aspect of pregnancy journey. 

Physical Symptoms

The physical fitness of a mother is directly connected to the baby’s health. Some of the physical symptoms that may indicate a sign of stillbirth are:

Decreased Fetal Movement: If there is a noticeable decrease in fetal movements, it could be an early warning sign of stillbirth. Therefore, pregnant mothers acn advised to monitor their baby’s movement and patterns of activity so any significant change in pattern can be detected.

No or fluctuations in Heartbeat: Healthcare providers use Doppler or other monitoring devices to monitor and detect the baby's heartbeat during the prenatal checkups. If the heartbeat is not present, it is a critical indicator of stillbirth. Therefore, pregnant women should monitor their baby’s heartbeat at home with a medical-grade fetal doppler to detect any abnormalities in the baby’s heartbeat. Such situations can help healthcare providers to take timely decisions and save the tragedy from happening. Expectant mothers can use Keyar Echo to monitor their baby’s heartbeat at home and share reports with their doctors. 

Vaginal Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can happen due to various reasons, therefore, immediate consultancy with healthcare providers is required. 

Emotional and Psychological Signs

The journey of pregnancy is not solely a physical experience; it is also an emotional one. There are emotional and psychological signs associated with stillbirth.

Intuition and Maternal Instincts

Mothers often have a strong connection with their babies, and intuition can play a significant role in sensing potential issues.

Feeling a sudden sense of unease or an unexplained gut feeling that something may be wrong should not be neglected.

Encouraging expectant mothers to trust their instincts and communicate any concerns to their healthcare team fosters proactive care.

Changes in Fetal Activity Patterns

Mothers become familiar with the typical patterns of the baby..

A noticeable shift, either an increase or decrease in fetal activity, can be a subtle yet crucial sign.

Monitoring changes in the frequency of the movements or strength means a prompt discussion with healthcare providers for early intervention.

Emotional Well-being of the Mother

Chronic stress during pregnancy has been linked to adverse outcomes

Having an open communication about emotions and stress levels to healthcare providers offers appropriate support and interventions, reducing the risk of stillbirth associated with emotional distress.

Stress and Coping Mechanisms

Stress is an inherent part of life, and when faced with the emotional challenges that come with experiences like stillbirth, understanding effective coping mechanisms becomes crucial.

Emotional Impact on Parents

The emotional impact of stillbirth on parents is deeply personal. What are those emotions and how they should deal with those emotions cannot be stated down but if guidance is provided, the phase can be less overwhelming for the expectant parents.

The loss of a child through stillbirth can be an overwhelming experience for parents. The grieving process for stillbirth is disheartening, as parents mourn not only the loss of their unborn baby but also the dreams and expectations associated with becoming parents.

It’s a challenging phase to accept the reality that parents may have to initially struggle with shock and disbelief. The psychological stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in some cases. Couples may experience strain in their relationships as they navigate grief differently, adding an additional layer of stress to an already difficult situation.

Coping Strategies

In the face of profound loss, finding effective coping strategies is essential for individuals and families affected by stillbirth. 

Support Groups

Joining a support group and connecting with others who have experienced stillbirth may help parents to relate to the situation and embrace the emotion of empathy. You will share experiences in a support group setting that helps parents realize they are not alone in the journey. Having a community where you can share help in the healing process. Some support groups are facilitated by professionals that offer parents a structured environment to express emotion

Counseling and Therapy

Parents can seek professional counseling to address their grief individually or as a couple. It provides a safe space to express emotions and navigate the complexities of loss. Counseling is crucial for addressing the potential development of mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD following stillbirth.

Medical Attention and Prevention

Timely medical attention and diagnosis is the way to prevent stillbirth. Therefore, prenatal checkups, monitoring, and following precautions are important to minimize the risk of stillbirth. 

• Early Detection and Diagnosis: Regular prenatal check-ups allow healthcare providers to monitor the pregnancy's progress. Routine ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests aid in detecting potential complications early on. Further, Home monitoring is crucial at this stage to monitor the baby's well-being. Keyar Echo is a safe and trusted device to monitor a baby's well-being anytime, anywhere. 

• Immediate Response to Warning Signs: Educating expectant parents about warning signs, such as decreased fetal movement or unusual symptoms, promotes quick action. Rapid response to signs of distress can lead to timely medical interventions, potentially preventing adverse outcomes.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

Every expectant mother wishes for a smooth pregnancy. However, some situations are unpredictable. 

Understanding the risk factor and preventive measures associated with stillbirth empowers expectant parents to take prompt action on the situation so timely medical attention can be provided. 

Prenatal Care: 

Consistent prenatal visits allow healthcare providers to monitor the baby's growth, detect abnormalities, and address potential concerns. The early identification of risk factors enables the formulation of targeted care plans.

Tests such as Ultrasounds, blood tests, and other diagnostic procedures help evaluate the baby's health and identify any complications.

If you have any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, managing it carefully can reduce the risk of complications leading to stillbirth.

Lifestyle Choices

A balanced and nutritious diet contributes to the overall health of the mother and the baby. An adequate intake of essential nutrients supports proper fetal development.

Mothers should refrain themselves from smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use reduces the risk of stillbirth. If there is any exposure to harmful substances can have severe consequences for fetal well-being.

A steady weight gain is normal but obesity is a major risk factor contributing to stillbirth.

Monitoring Fetal Movements

Many parents are not educated and aware that they can monitor ther baby’s well-being at home. Therefore, it is important to educate them about normal fetal movements. 

By creating awareness on the importance of home monitoring can help detect complications at an early stage and may prevent stillbirth from happening. 

Monitoring fetal kicks or movements on a regular basis or within a specific time frame aids in identifying potential issues.

Reducing Stigma and Promoting Open Conversations

It’s time to break the silence that surrounds stillbirth to reduce stigma around it and promote open conversations. It helps to create a compassionate and empathetic space for such parents to share their experience, learn from others and provide support without judgment. 

• Break the Silence: Most parents avoid talking and expressing themselves as they are embarrassed to talk about it due to societal pressure. It is important to accept the reality and have open conversations with the family to accelerate the healing process. 

• Destigmatize Grief: The societal pressure and misconceptions lead the affected families to isolate themselves. The isolation will have an immense impact on their mental health as they fear of being judged by the society. By doing awareness and providing a supportive environment, we can give a safe space to parents to share their experience and this will provide them with the ability to deal with the grief. 

• Educate Communities: Educating the public about stillbirth, its complexities, the impact on parents is a crucial step if we want to foster open communication. It will help dispel the misconceptions and myths while promoting empathy among families, friends, and relatives. 

Conclusion

In every 16 seconds, a stillbirth is happening. The statistics are alarming and an immediate action is required to stop stillbirth from happening. Continuous monitoring and early detection of issues can help healthcare providers to take timely decisions. 

Beyond the physical impact, we have to understand the profound emotional stress that accompanies stillbirth. Addressing emotional stress can help parents in the healing process and also foster long-term well-being and resilience. 

Stillbirth should not happen to anyone. There are certain warning signs that parents should know and be aware of so that timely medical intervention can happen and the baby can be saved. There are monitoring devices available in the market, but one trusted device is Keyar Echo that helps parents monitor their baby’s heartbeat to know their well-being. 

FAQs

a) What are the common signs of stillbirth during pregnancy?

Stillbirth signs may include decreased fetal movement, lack of heartbeat, and unexplained vaginal bleeding. It's crucial to be aware of these indicators and seek prompt medical attention if noticed.

b) How can I differentiate normal variations in fetal movement from a concerning change?

Pay attention to your baby's regular movement patterns. If you notice a significant decrease in activity or a sudden change, consult your healthcare provider. 

c) Are there preventive measures to reduce the risk of stillbirth?

While not all stillbirths can be prevented, attending regular prenatal check-ups, managing chronic health conditions, avoiding harmful substances, and being mindful of fetal movements can contribute to a healthier pregnancy.

d) Can stillbirth impact subsequent pregnancies?

While each pregnancy is unique, having experienced stillbirth may increase anxiety for the next pregnancy. Close monitoring by healthcare professionals, open communication, and emotional support are essential during subsequent pregnancies.