Stillbirth

According to the newest estimates, global stillbirth rates have fallen slowly over the last 30 years, lagging behind reductions in neonatal and maternal deaths. Many stillbirths, particularly early stillbirths (20-28 weeks), are left uncounted, therefore underestimating the burden of stillbirths and the importance of the interventions that may prevent them. Indeed, the majority of stillbirths are preventable.

Stillbirth profoundly affects women, their families, health care workers, and the wider community in all settings. As one systematic review and meta-analysis found, “Stillbirth can have devastating psychological, physical, and social costs, with ongoing effects on interpersonal relationships and subsequently born children.”

Using standard definitions and counting all stillbirths are first steps to ensuring women and families get the preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic care they need to prevent and manage stillbirths; and when unpreventable stillbirths do occur, to get the respectful bereavement care they need and deserve.