Signs of stillbirth that pregnant women need to know

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Nguyen Trung Thanh - Department of Surgical Anesthesia - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines stillbirth as a condition in which a fetus dies before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth are understood to mean a lost pregnancy, but they differ according to when the loss occurred. In the United States, a miscarriage is generally defined as the loss of a baby before the 20th week of pregnancy, and stillbirth as the loss of the baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth is classified according to when it occurs:
An early stillbirth occurs between 20 and 27 weeks of age. A late fetal death occurs between 28 and 36 weeks of age. A term pregnancy occurs between 37 weeks of age or longer.

Many women blame themselves when they lose their baby too late - they may wonder what they did wrong - but according to the CDC, stillbirths are rarely the mother's fault. In practice, it is often impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of stillbirth. However, there are several factors that increase the risk of stillbirth that pregnant women need to be aware of to improve their chances of having a healthy baby. The Collaborative Research Network on Stillbirth, supported by NICHD - The US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (SCRN) listed the causes of stillbirth in order from most common to least common:
Pregnancy and labor complications: Problems that occur during pregnancy can cause nearly a third of stillbirths. These complications include premature birth, pregnancy with twins or triplets, and placental detachment (also known as “placental abruption”). Pregnancy complications and labor pain are common causes of stillbirth before age 24. Problems with the placenta: Nearly one in four stillbirths can be caused by problems with the placenta. An example of a placental problem that causes a stillbirth is an inadequate blood supply to the baby. Placental problems are the leading cause of stillbirth that occurs before birth, and these deaths tend to occur after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Birth defects: In more than 1 out of 10 stillbirths, the fetus has a fatal genetic structural defect. Infection: In more than 1 in every 10 stillbirths, death can be caused by an infection in the fetus or in the placenta or from a serious infection in the mother. Infection is a more common cause of death in stillbirths before 24 weeks than in those after. Problems with the umbilical cord are a probable or probable cause of about 1 in 10 stillbirths. For example, the cord can become knotted or squeezed, cutting off the oxygen supply to the developing fetus. This cause tends to occur more in late pregnancy. Hypertension: High blood pressure in the mother - whether from chronic high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia - also contributes to an increased risk of death for the baby. These types of stillbirths are more common in the late second and early third trimesters, compared with other parts of pregnancy. Maternal disease complications: Maternal health problems — such as diabetes — are considered a probable or probable cause in less than 1 in 10 of stillbirths. Other causes : Financial stress, emotional changes, stress during pregnancy; Smoking or marijuana, taking prescription painkillers, or using illegal drugs during pregnancy is associated with double or even triple the risk of stillbirth.

Here are some stillbirth signs that mothers need to pay attention to during pregnancy:
Spotting or bleeding from your vagina: You should not be subjective with any abnormal discharge from the vagina ( discharge that has an odor and is any color other than white), as it could be a sign of an infection in the uterus. The infection can weaken the membrane sac around the baby, cause an infection inside the uterus, or cause your water to break. Mild to severe abdominal pain. Dizzy. High fever. Could not detect heart rate. Severe back pain. Cramp . Sudden decrease in fetal movements after 28 weeks or no movement at all: Baby's movements are a sign that your baby is developing healthy. While there's no set number of conventions for what's normal for a baby because every baby is different, it's most important that you know your baby's movements. Your baby's movements will gradually increase throughout your pregnancy up to about 32 weeks and then stay the same until delivery. You can check by counting the number of times your baby kicks at the same time of day (usually when your baby is most active) around the 28th week, after a few times you can work out the average movement of your baby. little. If your baby's kick count changes dramatically or if you can't feel your baby move at least 10 times within two hours, consult your doctor for advice. Note that the above signs do not always indicate a dead fetus. But if the mother is in the high-risk group, if the above signs of stillbirth appear, the risk probability is higher.

Have you been through a painful time because of the loss of a child? Don't worry pessimistic because there are many women who still have a stillbirth and they give birth to a healthy baby in their next pregnancy. However, to help prevent future problems, it is important to determine the cause of the stillbirth.

Pregnancy is a hope and joy for couples, so the loss of a child is an incalculable pain. There's nothing you can do about a stillbirth, but you can certainly plan for the lowest probability of it happening. Here are some ways to prevent stillbirth and have a safe pregnancy:
Adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet. Increase folic acid intake during pregnancy as it reduces the risk of birth defects. Don't miss any antenatal appointments. Maintain healthy weight gain throughout pregnancy by engaging in low-to-moderate exercise, if recommended by your doctor. Get an early pregnancy ultrasound. Get screened for pregnancy risks and identify fetal growth abnormalities. Check for and manage hypertension and diabetes before and during pregnancy. Monitor fetal movements from the second trimester. In the case of an overdue pregnancy, induction of labor is essential. Be careful when walking to avoid falling accidents. Avoid wearing high heels and wear seat belts when in a car. Opt for homemade food as it reduces the risk of food poisoning. Signs of stillbirth is one of the information that mothers who are or are about to become pregnant need to know. As for mothers who have just lost a child for this reason, this article will give you a complete overview for the next pregnancy. Pregnancy is a hope, arm yourself with sufficient knowledge to experience a safe and healthy pregnancy.