7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
STILLBIRTH
What is stillbirth?
Stillbirth is defined as the death of a fetus between the 20th week (5th month) of pregnancy and birth. The fetus dies in the uterus, but the parents do not know until the baby's delivery. Statistically, for every live 1,000 births there are 12.6 stillbirths. Stillbirth is especially frustrating to both parents and doctors because there is no known cause for over half of all stillbirths.
What can cause birth of stillborn babies?
Stillbirth can be caused by both placental problems and umbilical cord problems. The umbilical cord is the baby's lifeline, giving it both nourishment and oxygen. As the baby moves around in the amniotic sac, the cord may develop kinks and knots, interfering with the flow of oxygen and nourishment.
When the baby is moving down the birth canal, the cord could be squeezed, or wrap around the baby's head, causing suffocation. There is also a condition called a prolapsed cord. This occurs when the cord starts to come out of the vagina before the baby. When the cord leaves the vagina, blood and oxygen supply is obstructed, and the baby's body can be pressed against the cord, completely preventing the flow of blood and oxygen. A prolapsed cord accident has little possibility of recurring in future pregnancies.
The tragedy of stillbirth can also be caused by problems in the placenta. One such problem is placenta abruptio, or the separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. Once the placenta is completely separated from its point of implantation in the uterus, the fetus cannot survive.
Another placental problem is placenta previa. This is the implantation of the placenta over the mouth of the cervix. During delivery, the placenta would be delivered before the baby, when, in normal births, the baby is delivered before the placenta. In placenta previa, the oxygen supply is cut off, resulting in fetal death. Chances of placental implantation problems recurring are minimal. Placenta previa may result in fetal death if there is significant separation of the placenta, usually resulting in bleeding before delivery.
What will you see or feel?
There are many signs that everything is not all right with the pregnancy. Mothers may experience vaginal bleeding or cramps and stabbing pains in the pelvis, lower back or abdomen. The lack of fetal movement in the uterus for more than 4 hours is also a clue that something is wrong. At this point, doctors use ultrasound and traditional methods to determine the movement and heartbeat of the fetus.
Thomas G. Stovall, M.D.
Dr. Stovall is a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee and Partner of Women's Health Specialists, Inc.
Date Published: 2004-03-10
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505