How Long to Wait After a Stillbirth:What You Need to Know
When it comes to getting pregnant again after childbirth, the advice is pretty clear. What if your child died in stillbirth? When can you start trying to conceive again?
Each Woman is Unique, But There are Some Commonalities.
Experts recommend that women be assessed individually to determine whether they are ready physically and emotionally to try again. New research into conceiving after stillbirth and having a baby provides much-needed evidence for trying to have a child after such a loss.
Stillbirth occurs when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of gestation. A miscarriage, or late fetal death, is the term used to describe a baby’s death before this.
The authors of the study explain that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends women wait at least two years after a stillbirth and at least six months after a miscarriage, or an induced abortion before they conceive again. This is done to reduce the risks associated with adverse outcomes during the next pregnancy. There is no recommendation for the optimal time interval following a stillbirth. We examined the relationship between the interpregnancy period after a stillbirth and the birth outcome in the following pregnancy.
Many Women Become Pregnant Very Quickly.
The researchers followed 14452 women for 37 years to gather data about what happened during subsequent pregnancies.
The study found that more than 60% of the women had their babies within 12 months.
There is No Increased Risk of Adverse Outcomes.
Noting that “of the 9,109 births studied, or 63 percent, were conceived within a year of the stillbirth. Two percent of these subsequent pregnancies resulted in stillbirth. Eighteen percent were preterm deliveries and nine percent were babies who were born too small for their age. Women who had a stillbirth within a year of the previous pregnancy were not more likely to experience another stillbirth or preterm birth than those who waited two years or more between pregnancies.
The study’s authors noted that conception within 12 months after a stillbirth is common, and it does not increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
It is Safe to Get Pregnant Soon After a Stillbirth
According to a recent international study, getting pregnant within 12 months of a stillbirth doesn’t increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), to reduce the risk that a subsequent pregnancy will be complicated, recommends waiting at least two years following the birth of a child and at least six months after an abortion or miscarriage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not have any recommendations on how long women should wait after a stillbirth.
Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Centre for Fertility and Health have studied whether there’s an increased risk of complications in pregnancy if you get pregnant soon after a stillbirth.
Stillbirths: What You Need to Know
The risk of complications during pregnancy is not increased by getting pregnant within 12 months after a stillbirth. It is crucial to know this for families who have experienced stillbirths, according to the first author of the Australian study.
This study will make a valuable contribution to the WHO’s recommendations. She is a researcher at the Centre for Fertility and Health.
This study was published in The Lancet and examined 14,452 births of women in Finland, Norway, and Australia who had experienced a previous stillbirth between 1980 and 2016. In the 12 months following a stillbirth, 63 percent of women became pregnant again. The study included national health registers from Australia, Finland, and Norway. This allowed for a large number of pregnancies after a stillbirth.
Learn Something New and Important.
She said, “Using data from across the world, we looked at whether the interval between stillbirths and subsequent pregnancies affected the growth of the fetus or the likelihood of a premature birth, or a stillbirth, in the following pregnancy.”
“This research can provide new and important information for families who have experienced stillbirths. It can also reassure women that it is okay to become pregnant quickly again or want to.
Researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s Centre for Fertility and Health, Curtin University, Australia, and Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare collaborated to produce the study. This is one of the most comprehensive international studies to date that examines the relative importance of waiting after a stillbirth before becoming pregnant.
What Causes Stillbirth?
Pregnancy Complications and Labor Complications
Some circumstances can lead to complications or death of the baby before delivery. These include:
- Preterm labor is likely to be caused by complications during pregnancy
- Changes in the placenta
- placental abruption
- Pregnancy lasting longer than 42 weeks
- Carrying multiples
- Accident or injury during pregnancy
Common causes of stillbirth include pregnancy and labor complications, placental abruptions, and trusted sources.
Placenta Problems
Any interference with the placenta puts the baby’s health at risk. Placental problems can include poor blood flow and inflammation. Placental abruption is another condition that occurs when the placenta separates itself from the uterine walls before birth.
The Baby’s Genetic, Structural, and Developmental Conditions
About 14% of stillbirths are caused by prenatal conditions. These include:
- fetal growth restriction
- Genetic conditions
- Rh Incompatibility
- Structures are changing
Genetic conditions exist at conception. Environmental factors may also be responsible for prenatal development changes, but their cause is not always known.
If the baby is suffering from serious developmental problems or structural changes, it may not be possible for them to survive.
Infection
Stillbirth can be caused by an infection of the mother, placenta, or baby. More often, stillbirths are caused by infection before the 24th week.
The following infections can occur:
- cytomegalovirus
- fifth Disease
- Genital Herpes
- listeriosis
- syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis
Problems with the Umbilical Cord
The baby will not get enough oxygen if the umbilical cord is twisted or squeezed. Umbilical cord issues are more likely to cause stillbirth if they occur during pregnancy or labor.
Maternal Health
Stillbirth can be caused by the mother’s poor health. Stillbirth can be caused by health conditions that affect the mother during pregnancy.
- preeclampsia
- diabetes
- lupus
- obesity
- Thrombophilia
- thyroid disorders
Unexplained Stillbirth
Nearly 60 percent of all stillbirths (source) are unexplained, meaning that doctors do not know the reason for their occurrence. Although it can be difficult to accept, you shouldn’t blame yourself.
What are the Risk Factors of Stillbirth?
Anyone can have a stillbirth, but some risk factors may be present.
- Has a medical condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Obesity is a serious problem.
- Black
- I am a teenager or over 35
- Previous stillbirth
- Experienced trauma or high levels of stress during the year before delivery
- Lack of access to prenatal care
What are the Symptoms and Signs?
Early on, you may not have any symptoms. You may experience pain, cramping, or bleeding in the vagina. Your baby stopping moving is another sign.
You can begin a daily kicking count when you reach your 26th-28th week. You’ll need to gauge how much your baby moves.
It’s important to know how long it will take your baby to complete 10 movements. Here’s how:
- You should do the kick count every day at the same time.
- Count the movements (such as kicks, flutters, or swishes).
- Hiccups don’t count.
- When you reach 10, stop counting and take note of the time.
- Compare the time and intensity of each session with previous sessions.
If you notice that your baby is not moving as much or it is taking longer to get to 10 movements, go to the hospital right away. Hospitals are always available and provide immediate treatment if necessary. They are therefore the best place to have your baby checked. You should not delay getting your baby checked. Instead, you should wait until the next day. You don’t need to use a doppler, a handheld monitor, or cellular apps to check the heartbeat of your baby. Even if your baby’s heartbeat is detected, it does not mean that your baby is healthy. Using these devices or methods can delay the treatment you and your child may need.
You should not waste time trying to make your baby move. This can be done by drinking cold or sugary water. Get immediate care to ensure that you and your child are checked as soon as possible by healthcare professionals.
How Can It Be Diagnosed?
A non-stress test can be performed by your doctor to detect a fetal pulse. Ultrasound imaging confirms that your baby’s heart has stopped and is not moving.
What Comes Next?
Your doctor will explain to you what options you have and what steps to take if your baby dies. Your doctor may suggest that you wait and not do anything to initiate labor. You can choose to wait, and labor will start naturally within a couple of weeks if you do this.
Induced labor is another option. Induced labor may be recommended by your doctor for a variety of reasons, including if you suffer from a chronic illness or have other concerns. You can also discuss whether a caesarian is necessary.
There may be options available to you after the delivery. After the birth, you may wish to consider what you would like to do. You may want to spend some time with your partner or alone holding your child. Some families may want to bathe, clothe, or photograph their baby.
You can take as much time as you need to make these decisions. If you think that speaking with a social worker or clergy member might be helpful, hospitals have them available.
You can discuss your options with your doctor, midwife, or other healthcare professionals to help you decide which option is best for you.
It’s not necessary to make a decision right away about whether you want a certain service for your child. You must let your healthcare team and family know what you are considering.
Determine the Cause
Your doctor may perform an amniocentesis while your baby is still inside your womb to check for genetic and infectious conditions. Your doctor will examine your baby after delivery. They will also examine the umbilical cord and placenta. If necessary, an autopsy can be performed.
You will be informed of the next steps by your doctor or healthcare professional.
What To Do After a Stillbirth?
You should not minimize the loss or encourage guilt feelings in the victim. They are grieving for the baby that they lost. It’s not helpful to talk about future pregnancies unless the woman brings it up.
Compassion and support are what they need now. As you would with anyone who has suffered a loss, offer your sincere condolences. Do not try to change topics. Let them express themselves as often as necessary and in the way they prefer.
Encourage them to get enough rest, eat healthy, and attend their doctor’s appointments. Offer to do household chores in the first couple of weeks. Be there for them.
