Stillbirth Risk Calculator
Understand the risk factors associated with stillbirth.
This is an Informational Guide, Not a Calculator
Maternal Health Conditions
Pregnancy-Related Factors
Lifestyle Factors
Stillbirth, the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, is a devastating experience for any family. While the topic is difficult, understanding the risk factors is a crucial part of modern prenatal care. It allows healthcare providers to identify high-risk pregnancies and implement closer monitoring and interventions to promote the best possible outcome. This guide is designed to provide clear, educational information about the factors associated with an increased risk of stillbirth.
This is an informational guide only. It is not a calculator and cannot provide a personal risk assessment. The risk of stillbirth is complex and must be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your complete medical history.
What is Stillbirth?
A stillbirth is tragically common, affecting about 1 in 175 births in the United States. It is categorized based on when it occurs:
- Early Stillbirth: Fetal death between 20 and 27 completed weeks of pregnancy.
- Late Stillbirth: Fetal death between 28 and 36 completed weeks.
- Term Stillbirth: Fetal death at 37 or more completed weeks.
In many cases, the specific cause of a stillbirth cannot be determined. However, research has identified several maternal health and pregnancy-related factors that can increase the risk.
Key Risk Factors for Stillbirth
Healthcare providers assess a patient's risk by looking at a combination of pre-existing, pregnancy-related, and lifestyle factors.
1. Maternal Health Conditions
Chronic health issues in the mother can affect the placental function and the fetal environment.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Both pre-existing and pregnancy-induced (preeclampsia) hypertension can restrict blood flow to the placenta.
- Diabetes: Poorly controlled pre-existing or gestational diabetes can lead to complications that increase risk.
- Obesity: A high maternal BMI is a significant risk factor, linked to a higher chance of diabetes, hypertension, and other complications.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus can affect blood flow and placental health.
- Thrombophilia: Blood clotting disorders that can lead to clots in the placenta.
2. Pregnancy-Related Factors
Characteristics of the current or past pregnancies play a major role.
- History of a Previous Stillbirth: This is a very strong predictor, and women with a prior loss will receive specialized care in subsequent pregnancies.
- Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): When a fetus is not growing at a normal rate, it can be a sign of placental insufficiency or other problems. This is one of the most common factors associated with stillbirth.
- Placental Abruption: When the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery.
- Multiple Gestation: Pregnancies with twins, triplets, or more are at a higher risk due to complications like shared placentas, growth restriction, and preterm birth.
- Post-term Pregnancy: Going significantly beyond the due date (past 41-42 weeks) can increase risk as the placenta may start to age and function less effectively.
- Maternal Age: The risk of stillbirth increases for women over the age of 35.
3. Lifestyle and Other Factors
- Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Use: These substances can severely impact fetal growth and placental function.
- Lack of Prenatal Care: Regular prenatal check-ups are essential for monitoring the health of both mother and baby and for catching potential problems early.
How Healthcare Providers Mitigate Risk
Identifying these risk factors is the first step toward prevention. If a pregnancy is identified as high-risk, healthcare providers will implement a plan of increased surveillance, especially in the third trimester. This may include:
- More Frequent Prenatal Visits: To closely monitor blood pressure, growth, and other vital signs.
- Fetal Growth Scans: Regular ultrasounds to track the baby's growth and ensure they are following a healthy trajectory.
- Fetal Movement Counting: Mothers are often encouraged to pay close attention to their baby's movements, as a significant decrease can be an early sign of distress. The "Count the Kicks" campaign is a valuable resource for this.
- Non-Stress Tests (NST) and Biophysical Profiles (BPP): These are tests that monitor the baby's heart rate and well-being to ensure they are not in distress.
- Timed Delivery: In some high-risk situations, the provider may recommend inducing labor or a planned Cesarean delivery between 37 and 39 weeks, as the risk of stillbirth can increase if the pregnancy continues.
While not all stillbirths are preventable, proactive and vigilant prenatal care based on a thorough risk assessment is the best strategy for ensuring a healthy outcome. It is vital to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider, attend all your appointments, and report any concerns, especially a change or decrease in your baby's movements.
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Stillbirth, the loss of a baby at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy, is a devastating experience for any family. While the topic is difficult, understanding the risk factors is a crucial part of modern prenatal care. It allows healthcare providers to identify high-risk pregnancies and implement closer monitoring and interventions to promote the best possible outcome. This guide is designed to provide clear, educational information about the factors associated with an increased risk of stillbirth.
This is an informational guide only. It is not a calculator and cannot provide a personal risk assessment. The risk of stillbirth is complex and must be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional who can consider your complete medical history.
What is Stillbirth?
A stillbirth is tragically common, affecting about 1 in 175 births in the United States. It is categorized based on when it occurs:
- Early Stillbirth: Fetal death between 20 and 27 completed weeks of pregnancy.
- Late Stillbirth: Fetal death between 28 and 36 completed weeks.
- Term Stillbirth: Fetal death at 37 or more completed weeks.
In many cases, the specific cause of a stillbirth cannot be determined. However, research has identified several maternal health and pregnancy-related factors that can increase the risk.
Key Risk Factors for Stillbirth
Healthcare providers assess a patient's risk by looking at a combination of pre-existing, pregnancy-related, and lifestyle factors.
1. Maternal Health Conditions
Chronic health issues in the mother can affect the placental function and the fetal environment.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Both pre-existing and pregnancy-induced (preeclampsia) hypertension can restrict blood flow to the placenta.
- Diabetes: Poorly controlled pre-existing or gestational diabetes can lead to complications that increase risk.
- Obesity: A high maternal BMI is a significant risk factor, linked to a higher chance of diabetes, hypertension, and other complications.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus can affect blood flow and placental health.
- Thrombophilia: Blood clotting disorders that can lead to clots in the placenta.
2. Pregnancy-Related Factors
Characteristics of the current or past pregnancies play a major role.
- History of a Previous Stillbirth: This is a very strong predictor, and women with a prior loss will receive specialized care in subsequent pregnancies.
- Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): When a fetus is not growing at a normal rate, it can be a sign of placental insufficiency or other problems. This is one of the most common factors associated with stillbirth.
- Placental Abruption: When the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery.
- Multiple Gestation: Pregnancies with twins, triplets, or more are at a higher risk due to complications like shared placentas, growth restriction, and preterm birth.
- Post-term Pregnancy: Going significantly beyond the due date (past 41-42 weeks) can increase risk as the placenta may start to age and function less effectively.
- Maternal Age: The risk of stillbirth increases for women over the age of 35.
3. Lifestyle and Other Factors
- Smoking, Alcohol, and Drug Use: These substances can severely impact fetal growth and placental function.
- Lack of Prenatal Care: Regular prenatal check-ups are essential for monitoring the health of both mother and baby and for catching potential problems early.
How Healthcare Providers Mitigate Risk
Identifying these risk factors is the first step toward prevention. If a pregnancy is identified as high-risk, healthcare providers will implement a plan of increased surveillance, especially in the third trimester. This may include:
- More Frequent Prenatal Visits: To closely monitor blood pressure, growth, and other vital signs.
- Fetal Growth Scans: Regular ultrasounds to track the baby's growth and ensure they are following a healthy trajectory.
- Fetal Movement Counting: Mothers are often encouraged to pay close attention to their baby's movements, as a significant decrease can be an early sign of distress. The "Count the Kicks" campaign is a valuable resource for this.
- Non-Stress Tests (NST) and Biophysical Profiles (BPP): These are tests that monitor the baby's heart rate and well-being to ensure they are not in distress.
- Timed Delivery: In some high-risk situations, the provider may recommend inducing labor or a planned Cesarean delivery between 37 and 39 weeks, as the risk of stillbirth can increase if the pregnancy continues.
While not all stillbirths are preventable, proactive and vigilant prenatal care based on a thorough risk assessment is the best strategy for ensuring a healthy outcome. It is vital to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider, attend all your appointments, and report any concerns, especially a change or decrease in your baby's movements.