We were asked by doctors if we wanted an autopsy and genetic testing done sometime between learning our baby didn’t have a heartbeat at 35 weeks and delivering her hours later. They’d ask me and my husband, Donald, a few more times before the night was done, as we lay in shock from our new reality. The only thing I could think of to say was, “How much does that cost?” No one seemed to have a clue.
Following that, “Have you taken a look at our resource booklet? There’s a lot of useful data in there.” Then there was the oblique question, the elephant in the room: “Have you considered what you want to do?” the doctor inquired. I glanced at her puzzled, then realized we needed to bury our child and raise the funds to do it. The questions stung me like mosquitoes, unable to be fended off no matter how hard I tried.
Stillbirths fatalities beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy that affect approximately 1% of deliveries have a hidden economic cost that goes unreported. According to a 2013 study, the average cost of a stillbirth delivery is more than $750 greater than the cost of a live birth. Families are frequently forced to postpone grieving while dealing with significant financial issues, such as how your kid will be buried and how much it will cost, as well as high expenditures for delivery and hospital stays.
It took around 30 minutes from the moment I felt compelled to push until our daughter was born. All I wanted to do after giving birth was get out of the hospital as soon as possible. I was able to leave in less than 24 hours, and while I wasn’t crying or sleeping, I dealt with the financial and logistical repercussions. Before insurance, the hospital bills came to $16,256 in total. The total out-of-pocket expenses were $1,600. In the United States, the typical live newborn delivery costs $10,808 before insurance.
The most expensive part was the delivery, which took less than 20 minutes yet cost $4,696. Another large expense: $2,630 for further blood tests needed for diagnostics to determine what went wrong. I had to beg for assurances that I wouldn’t pass out as vial after vial was taken.
The financial impact of stillbirths in the United States is poorly understood. It’s not a well-studied topic, with the exception of a 2013 study by University of Michigan academics. However, in my own experience and that of many mourning mothers I spoke with, the costs of a stillbirth are disproportionately significant.
For some, it could be related to the costs of maternal problems such as diabetes or hypertension, which necessitate lengthier hospital stays. Extensive postpartum examination, whether soon after delivery or in subsequent pregnancies, can be expensive as doctors try to prevent stillbirth. Parents must also consider the cost of the funeral and burial, as well as their child’s mental health needs.
Due to a pregnancy problem I have called cholestasis, my pregnancy was labeled high-risk, which meant that the bills started piling up even before I went into labor. My account was charged $689 for just one specialist appointment. Three tests a week were required of me, which our daughter continued to pass with flying colors. Only one of them gave us a fright when I ended up in the ER because she wasn’t taking enough medication “Exercise your breathing.” The total cost of this visit was $1,328.
The only advantage of labor and delivery costs was that they could be invoiced to insurance and thus frequently financed. Funeral and burial expenses are more immediate and painful. Our only other option was to bury our daughter in an unmarked field of angels, which is a mass burial of stillborn babies near the hospital marked by a solitary plaque. Donald and I both understood we needed to come up with a fresh plan right away. We rapidly realized that this may cost thousands of dollars. Funeral services, burial plots, and a phrase that gives me the creeps just thinking about it caskets are all expensive.
Stillbirths are rarely covered by life insurance, and you can’t get a policy for a kid who is at risk in the pregnancy. The Veterans Administration, on the other hand, updated its life insurance policy in 2014 to include stillbirths as a dependent child. While the VA has made significant progress in amending its policy regulations, most life insurance firms only cover children between the ages of 14 and 18. According to a State Farm spokesperson, their insurance for children begin at the age of 15 days. The language appears to imply an attempt to save money by betting on the death of unborn children or newborns.
Juleigh Raines, whom I met through an online support group for bereaved parents, informed me that one of her twins died nine days after delivery, only five days short of most life insurance plans’ eligibility requirements. Juleigh, who is from Shelby, North Carolina, resorted to GoFundMe to help defray the costs, and was able to raise $5,000. “The funds raised were used to pay for her newspaper obituary, burial plot, casket spray, ceremony photo canvases, and the funeral itself. “Any money left over after that was spent on medical expenditures from her NICU stay,” she explained.
We had a little luck as well. My husband’s family had a mausoleum in one of New Orleans’ old St. Louis cemeteries, so our kid was at least laid to rest among family in a lovely cemetery. Jennifer Scharfenstein, the co-founder and director of Savannah Smiles, an organization that gives families $500 for funeral/burial expenses after a stillbirth, deserves special mention. These money were quite beneficial to us.
The costs of the burial and funeral continue to mount after they are completed. After a stillbirth, future pregnancies are frequently seen as high-risk. If the mother falls pregnant again, specialist services, further tests, fetal monitoring, and earlier interventions are all strongly advised.
It was difficult for some women to even conceive the baby they lost. Then they’ll have to start all again with costly fertility treatments, medications, and procedures. After insurance, Ariel Grace Lawrence of Amherst, Virginia, told me that trying to conceive again after her stillbirth cost her well over $1,000. If they don’t work, several of these treatments must be repeated every few months, costing twice as much. It’s stressful enough to go through fertility treatments, but it’s even more so once you’ve been pregnant and lost your opportunity at motherhood.
Losing a kid, especially one who is so close to drawing their first breath, is a devastating event that leaves a parent’s heart scarred for life. When financial concerns enter the picture, the grieving process becomes more difficult. This is something I’ve experienced firsthand.
We must advocate for universal maternal and fetal testing during all pregnancies, progressive life insurance plans, and more discussions to better comprehend the financial and emotional costs of stillbirth.
How much does a stillbirth cost?
Our final sample included 533 stillbirths and 1053 live births that were matched. The average hospital bill for a stillbirth was $7495 ($7015), with an average stay of 2.8 days (2.8). In women who had stillbirths, having a major maternal medical problem was linked to greater costs and a longer length of stay. Stillbirths between 20 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, epidural/spinal/general anesthesia, and cesarean delivery were all linked to a lengthier stay. The average hospital charges for women who had stillbirths were more than $750 greater than for those who had live deliveries, yet the length of stay did not change considerably.
Do you have to pay for stillbirth funeral?
One of the most difficult experiences a parent may have is planning a funeral for their child. However, for some parents, it can be one of the first steps in grieving and a special time to say farewell to their child.
Your baby’s body must be buried or cremated if he or she dies after 24 weeks of pregnancy. It is entirely up to you whether or not a service is held prior to the burial or cremation.
- The hospital may usually arrange a funeral for you for free or for a minimal price. If you choose a hospital funeral, you will have a lot of the paperwork and decision-making done for you, but your options may be limited. Some hospitals, for example, can only offer cremation, while others can offer shared rituals or burial in a common grave.
- You can ask a funeral home to handle it for you, in which case the funeral director will assist you. There may be a charge, but it will most likely be at a discounted rate. Many people do it for free.
- You can plan the funeral yourself by contacting the crematorium or cemetery directly.
The arrangements you select to commemorate your child’s death in a ceremony are extremely personal. You might have essential religious wishes or customs that you’d like to have honored, or you might choose a non-religious ceremony with poetry and singing. It is entirely up to you what occurs at the ceremony. Some parents find it comforting to personalize their child’s burial.
You can simply choose not to attend and leave all of the arrangements to the hospital and its undertaker. It can be beneficial to think about this for a while before making a decision. Keep in mind that you have the right to change your mind.
“My husband and I planned the funeral jointly, and it turned out to be a lovely event. We were able to accomplish our goals and share them with our family and friends. It’s not something you expect to be doing, but we felt it was necessary to commemorate Arthur’s life and show our sorrow at his passing. It was terrible to see my husband carry his casket to his final resting place, but it was also a beautiful display of love. Planning the burial gave us something to think about during those first bleak days after we returned home from the hospital.”
Kathryn, who is mourning the loss of her son Arthur. Adapted with permission from Sarah Smith’s book, ‘Life After Stillbirth.’
What does a hospital do with a stillborn baby?
Funeral Planning for a Stillborn Baby Some parents choose to have a stillborn baby’s remains handled by the hospital; several medical centers even provide burial services with in-house chaplains.
Do you bury a stillbirth baby?
You’ll be faced with an uncomfortable dilemma as you try to cope with the devastating news. If your baby dies before labor begins, you will most likely be offered the option of choosing which type of birth you want; this is a difficult decision to make. Giving birth naturally may allow you to go through the shock and begin the grieving process with a little more time.
How long can you keep a stillborn baby?
In most cases, it is medically safe for the woman to bear her baby until labor begins, which usually occurs approximately two weeks after the infant dies. This lag in time may affect the baby’s look at delivery, so it’s better to be prepared.
Some mothers desire to be induced as soon as possible because having their deceased baby in the womb is emotionally painful for them. Induction would be required if labor had not begun after two weeks to avoid hazardous blood clotting. Only if difficulties emerge during labor and delivery is a cesarean advised.
How will I recover physically after having a stillbirth?
Your body needs time to heal after giving birth to a stillborn baby, just as it does after any other type of birth. Your doctor will probably advise you to take it easy to allow your body to heal. Your breasts may fill with milk a few days after you get home from the hospital. Although the milk should disperse within a few days, your breasts may be uncomfortable and sensitive for a while.
Because it is a reminder of your loss, this experience might be unpleasant. To relieve the soreness, take a warm bath. It’s possible that you’ll bleed intermittently for a few weeks. It’s critical to contact your healthcare practitioner if you’ve been bleeding for more than three weeks, have a fever, or are cramping.
Saying hello, goodbye, and making memories:
You will normally have the option of spending time alone with your infant when the examinations are completed. Looking at, caressing, and chatting to your infant can bring you comfort. Most parents find it beneficial to create lasting memories of this priceless period.
- You can bathe your child and dress him or her in a unique costume. You can save a piece of this clothes as a keepsake before leaving the hospital.
- You can read a story or sing a lullaby to your infant, which may sound strange at first.
- By now, you’ve most likely given your child a name. Make sure you inform the medical personnel as soon as possible so that your baby’s name appears on all paperwork.
You will have as much time as you need with your kid, but you will have to say goodbye at some point. Because it is so final, this will most likely be one of the most difficult tasks. Allow yourself to cry; this is a normal part of the grieving process. The treasures will serve as a constant reminder that a piece of your baby will always be with you.
What can I expect when I leave the hospital?
When you are physically ready, you will be allowed to leave the hospital. Leaving the hospital can be an emotional rollercoaster. You may be eager to return to the safety and comfort of your own house, but you’re also dealing with the disappointment and fury that you don’t have a kid to bring home with you. Having a supportive family can assist you in getting through this difficult time. Some parents have found it beneficial to have a family member transfer all of the baby items into a spare room before they arrive home, so that they can be sorted out when they are ready.
What about my family members?
Your family members will be saddened by the loss of your child. Your child is the grandchild, brother, cousin, nephew, or sister of someone. It is critical that all members of your family spend time with the baby. This will assist them in coping with their loss. If you have additional children, it’s critical to be open and honest with them about what happened, giving clear and straightforward explanations.
It is entirely up to you whether or not you want your children to see the baby. Request a Child Life Specialist at the hospital; these are skilled experts who can assist you in preparing your children for the devastating news and, if desired, allowing them to see the baby.
How do I tell people about our loss?
It can be emotionally demanding and daunting to tell family and friends. You might choose to appoint one family member to be “in charge” of informing others about what has happened, funeral plans, and ways they can assist.
What should I do about a funeral or memorial service?
A hospital social worker or chaplain can assist you with funeral arrangements. For stillborn newborns, most funeral establishments will provide a complimentary casket, burial, or cremation. Despite the fact that there may be additional costs, this gift will help to reduce some of the financial stress. The date of the service will be determined by when your baby is released from the hospital. You have complete control over the length of the service and the amount of family members who attend. This may be difficult for you, but it is also reassuring to know that your kid is safe.
What should I do with the baby items?
When the time comes to look through your baby’s belongings and decide what to do with them, you’ll be ready. Request assistance from a friend or relative in determining store return policies and returning things. Put goods you wish to keep in a dedicated box that you can access whenever you need them. Make no rash judgments, such as donating everything to charity; you may come to regret it later. You might wish to donate certain products, return others to the store, and save some for the next baby.
How can I help myself grieve?
You can do the following things to help yourself get through this difficult period in your life:
- Joining a support group can make you feel less alone; it’s comforting to know that someone else is going through the same thing you are.
- In a journal, write about your emotions. You might wish to write your newborn a letter.
- Make an album for your baby, or plant a tree in the baby’s memory, or anything else that makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something.
It will take time for you to recover. The emptiness in your heart will gradually fade away, and you will learn to live your life again. You’ll have new aspirations and dreams for the future, and your perspective on life will shift. This indicates that you are beginning to accept, rather than forget, your loss.
Pregnancy after stillbirth
The odds of another stillbirth are quite slim. In fact, most women who have had a stillbirth will go on to have a healthy baby.
Only you and your spouse can determine when it’s time to try again. You’ll probably be physically ready to try again before you’ll be emotionally ready. If you do not come to terms with your loss, future pregnancies will be more difficult for you. Some experts advise waiting at least a few months, if not a year, before trying again to allow yourself time to grieve.
Can you claim a stillborn child on your taxes?
My child died in the womb. To claim a newborn kid as a dependent, state or municipal law must treat the child as if he or she was born alive, and proof of a live birth must be provided in the form of an official document such as a birth certificate. You cannot claim a stillborn child as a dependent due to these restrictions.
How long do you stay in hospital after stillbirth?
You could be labeled “stable” as soon as six hours after delivery if you have no further medical issues and a straightforward delivery. You can go home the same day if you want, but most doctors and hospitals will let you stay longer if you don’t feel ready.
How do you deliver a stillborn baby?
When a baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as stillbirth. The majority of stillbirths occur before a woman goes into labor, however a small percentage occur during labor and delivery. In the United States, around 1 in 160 pregnancies ends in stillbirth each year.
Who is at risk for stillbirth?
Any family can experience a stillbirth. We don’t always understand why some families are more affected by stillbirth than others. Researchers are attempting to learn more about the factors that contribute to stillbirth.
Risk factors are things that put you at higher risk for (or make you more likely to develop) a condition than others. Having a stillbirth risk factor does not guarantee that you will have a stillbirth. However, being aware of and decreasing your risk factors may help you avoid having a stillborn baby. Some risk factors are unavoidable, such as a previous pregnancy that ended in a stillbirth. Other risk factors, such as smoking cessation, are things you can control. Talk to your doctor about what you may do to help lower your chances of having a stillbirth.
Risk factors for stillbirth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts, include:
- Obesity is a problem. Obesity is defined as having an excess of body fat and a body mass index (commonly known as BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is a formula that calculates your body fat percentage depending on your height and weight. Visit www.cdc.gov/bmi to calculate your BMI.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a disorder in which your blood contains an excessive amount of sugar (glucose).
- Blood pressure that is too high. The force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is known as blood pressure. Arteries are blood arteries that transport blood from your heart to various regions of your body.
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol. The use of certain hazardous chemicals raises the chances of a stillbirth. Smoking, consuming alcohol, or using illegal or prescription medications, such as opioids, are just a few examples.
- You have pregnancy-related intrahepatic cholestasis (also called ICP). This is the most prevalent type of liver problem that occurs during pregnancy.
- Premature birth, hypertension, or fetal growth restriction were issues in a previous pregnancy. Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a condition that can strike during or after the 20th week of pregnancy. It occurs when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and evidence that her organs, such as her kidneys and liver, are malfunctioning. When a baby does not gain enough weight in the womb before delivery, it is called fetal growth restriction.
- A prior pregnancy ended in a miscarriage or stillbirth. When a baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of pregnancy, it is called a miscarriage.
- After the age of 35, you become pregnant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), research reveal that a significant number of stillbirths among pregnant women aged 35 and up are caused by congenital or chromosomal problems.
- You don’t have much in the way of social support. Unmarried persons often have strong social networks of family and friends who are willing to assist them. Unmarried people, on the other hand, have been found to have a higher risk of stillbirth in several studies. This could be due to a lack of social support, according to researchers.
Health Disparities and Racism
We don’t know why, but stillbirth occurs more frequently in some groups than in others. This is referred to as a health discrepancy (difference). We need to look at the societal factors that affect these groups to understand why they are at a higher risk of stillbirth, which we call social determinants of health. These are the circumstances in which you were born, grew up, worked, lived, and became old. These disorders have a long-term impact on your health. Racism is often linked to social determinants of health and health disparities.
Racism is the mistaken idea that certain groups of people are born with characteristics that make them superior to others.
Personal attacks such as ethnic slurs, bullying, and physical assault are not the only forms of racism. One group of people has more authority than other groups in a racist culture. The dominant racial or ethnic group makes critical decisions that influence everyone’s lives. They have a lot of say in how schools, health care, housing, legislation, and law enforcement operate, for example. Because of this power, members of the dominant group are more likely to:
- Media, such as television shows, movies, and news programs, should portray you in a positive light.
People from racial or ethnic minorities who live in a racist society, on the other hand, are more prone to:
- Live in locations where environmental pollutants, such as air, water, and soil pollution, are more prevalent.
Chronic stress induced by living in a racist culture has been linked to a variety of health issues, including having a preterm or low-birthweight baby, according to studies. While race has been mentioned in various studies and statistics as a risk factor for many illnesses, we cannot assert that race is the cause. To further understand the links between racism, stress, and health issues, more research is needed.
There are significant disparities in stillbirth rates among different demographics, according to statistics from the CDC (2017). Except when compared to American Indian/Alaskan Native people, the miscarriage rate for Black people is more than double that of other populations. These figures represent the number of live births and stillbirths per 1,000 live births and stillbirths. Take a look at the information below:
A stillbirth is not caused by the fact that you are a person of race. Racism, on the other hand, has a disproportionate impact on people of color. Racism and unequal living conditions have an impact on their health and well-being, and they are more likely to experience pregnancy difficulties such as stillbirth as a result.
Racism and its impacts are contributors in health disparities in pregnancy outcomes and infant health, according to the March of Dimes. We must work together to ensure that all mothers and babies have equitable, just, and complete access to health care.
How do you know if your baby is stillborn?
Things that others can see or know about you, such as a rash or coughing, are signs of an illness. Symptoms are things you can feel but others can’t see, such as a sore throat or dizziness.
When you stop feeling your baby move and kick, this is the most typical indicator of stillbirth. Cramps, discomfort, or vaginal bleeding are some of the other symptoms. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right soon.
Ultrasound is used to determine if your baby’s heart has stopped beating. An ultrasound shows a picture of your baby in the womb using sound waves and a computer screen.
What are your options for giving birth if your baby is stillborn?
If your baby is stillborn, your doctor will discuss your options for giving birth with you. The length of your pregnancy, your medical condition, and what you believe is best for you and your family all influence when and how you give birth. Although some women must give birth immediately away for medical reasons, it’s usually safe to wait until you go into labor on your own. After a baby dies in the womb, labor normally begins within two weeks.
- Expansion and egress (also called D&E). Your provider dilates (opens) the cervix to remove tissue from the uterus lining during this surgical treatment. The cervix is the top of the vaginal opening that leads to the uterus (womb). The information your provider can receive regarding your baby’s status may be limited if you have a D&E. Your infant’s provider, for example, cannot perform an autopsy on your kid if you have a D&E.
- The act of inducing labor. This is when your doctor administers medication or bursts your water (amniotic sac) to induce labor. The majority of pregnant women who experience a stillbirth have their doctors induce labor as soon as they learn of their baby’s death. If you wait two weeks following your baby’s death to go into labor on your own and it doesn’t happen, your provider may induce labor to help avoid hazardous blood clots from forming.
- Cesarean section (also called c-section). Your doctor will make a cut in your belly and uterus to deliver your baby during this surgery.
What tests do you get after a stillbirth?
To figure out why your baby died, your provider examines your infant, the placenta, and the umbilical cord. The placenta develops in your uterus and provides nourishment and oxygen to the baby via the umbilical cord. Your doctor may request that you undergo specific tests in order to determine the reason of the stillbirth. The following tests may be performed:
- Amniocentesis is a procedure that involves the removal of the fetus (also called amnio). Your provider will remove some amniotic fluid from surrounding your baby in the uterus for this test. If your doctor believes your baby’s stillbirth was caused by a genetic disease or infection, she may recommend an amnio before you give delivery. Health disorders that are passed down through the generations are known as genetic conditions.
- Autopsy. This is a post-mortem examination of your baby’s body. A provider examines your baby’s organs for symptoms of birth abnormalities or other issues during an autopsy. This may aid your provider in determining what caused your baby’s death and whether you’re at risk of another stillbirth in the future. It’s not uncommon for a provider to be unable to determine the cause of a stillbirth. Birth defects are medical disorders that exist at the time of birth. They alter the appearance or function of one or more physical parts. Birth defects can affect one’s overall health, as well as how the body develops and functions.
Your provider will evaluate the family health history as well as any difficulties or illnesses you experienced during pregnancy, in addition to evaluating your baby for medical and genetic conditions. Your family health history is a record of any illnesses or injuries that you, your partner, or relatives of both families have suffered in the past. Infections, hereditary issues, and other medical conditions such as lupus or thyroid problems may be tested for by your provider.
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant again, the results of your and your baby’s testing may be useful. Your provider may be able to tell you if there’s a likelihood you’ll have another stillbirth based on the results of your tests. Even if your provider is unable to determine what caused your stillbirth, having the tests performed may assist you in better understanding and coping with the loss of your baby. Talk to your health care practitioner if you have any questions about the testing, including the cost.
If you’ve had a stillbirth, can you have a healthy baby in another pregnancy?
Yes. The chances of experiencing another stillbirth are quite slim for most women. After a stillbirth, less than one in every 100 women (less than one percent) will have another one.
Give yourself time to heal physically and emotionally if you experienced a loss and are considering having another baby. Your provider may suggest that you undergo medical testing in order to learn more about the reason of your stillbirth. It’s possible that you’ll have to wait until after you’ve had these tests to try again.
A genetic counselor can help you understand the problem and your chances of having another stillbirth if your loss was caused by a genetic condition. A genetic counselor is someone who has been trained to explain how genes, birth abnormalities, and other medical disorders run in families and how they can affect your health and the health of your kid. A genetic counselor can be found with the help of your health care physician.
Here are some things you may take to reduce your chances of suffering a stillbirth in a future pregnancy:
- Get a pre-conception examination. This is a pre-pregnancy medical examination. It ensures that you are healthy when you become pregnant.
- Before you get pregnant, get to a healthy weight. Your healthcare practitioner can advise you on how to reach your ideal weight.
- Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, use marijuana, or use any other drugs that could harm your unborn child. If you need assistance quitting, tell your provider.
- If you experience any vaginal pain or bleeding while pregnant, contact your healthcare professional straight away.
If you become pregnant again, your doctor will keep a close eye on you and your baby. She may advise you to take kick counts about 32 weeks of pregnancy to help you keep track of how often your baby moves. Medical tests to evaluate your baby’s heart rate and movements may also be performed by your provider.
What causes stillbirth?
Infections in either the mother or the child. Some infections may go undetected and undiagnosed until they cause major consequences, such as premature birth or stillbirth. Stillbirth can be caused by a variety of infections, including:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a type of virus that infect (also called CMV). This is a type of herpes virus that you can contract by coming into contact with a virus-bodily carrier’s fluids (saliva, sperm, mucus, urine, or blood). Although it’s a common infection in young children, catching it during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including stillbirth.
- The fifth ailment. This is a frequent childhood sickness caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. It is mainly conveyed through the air by a person who is infected coughing or sneezing.
- Infections of the genital and urinary tract. The urinary tract and genitals (sometimes known as sex organs), such as the vagina and ovaries, are affected by these illnesses. The urinary tract is a collection of organs (including the kidneys and bladder) that aid in the removal of waste and excess fluids from the body. Getting genital herpes for the first time when pregnant can result in a stillbirth. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be contracted by having intercourse with an infected partner.
- Toxoplasmosis. This infection can be contracted by eating undercooked meat or coming into contact with cat feces.
The placenta or the umbilical cord are causing problems. Infections, blood clots, inflammation (redness, discomfort, and swelling), blood vessel disorders, and other illnesses such as placental abruption are all examples of placental difficulties. Placental abruption is a dangerous disorder in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the baby is born. About 24 out of every 100 stillbirths are caused by placental issues (24 percent). A knot in the umbilical chord or the cord being squeezed can cause your baby to be deprived of oxygen. About 10 in 100 stillbirths are caused by problems with the umbilical cord (10 percent).
- Lupus, thrombophilias, and thyroid diseases are examples of medical ailments. Lupus is a type of autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disorders are diseases that develop when antibodies (cells in the body that fight infections) mistakenly attack healthy tissue anyplace in the body. Thyroid diseases impact your thyroid, a gland in your neck that produces hormones that aid in the storage and utilization of nutritional energy. Thrombophilias increase the likelihood of abnormal blood clots forming.
- Premature rupture of the membranes and preterm labor (also called PPROM). Preterm labor is defined as labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. PPROM occurs when the sac around the fetus ruptures prematurely, triggering labor.
- Hemorrhage in the womb of the mother. During pregnancy or delivery, your baby’s blood mixes with your own.
- Birth abnormalities and genetic diseases are two of the most common causes of death in children. Approximately 14 out of every 100 stillborn newborns (14%) have one or more birth abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA The protein Rh factor is found on the surface of red blood cells. When a woman who lacks the protein (known as Rh-negative) becomes pregnant with a child who does, Rh illness develops (called Rh-positive). The disease Rh can be avoided.
How can you deal with feelings of grief after a stillbirth?
When someone close to you dies, grief encompasses all of your emotions. A stillborn baby is a heartbreaking loss for a family. There are, however, things you may do to assist you in grieving, healing, and remembering your baby.
Do what feels appropriate for you and your family after the birth. You might wish to spend some time alone with your infant and other members of your family. You can give your baby a name, hold her, bathe and dress her, and participate in cultural or religious customs such as baptism. Some parents take photographs of their children, leave footprints, or retain strands of hair. You may be able to keep items from the hospital that were used with your infant, such as blankets. These kinds of mementos can help you and your family remember your child.
Parents who have experienced a stillbirth require time to mourn. You and your partner may experience sorrow in various ways, and you may require assistance in coping with others while grieving.
Hearing names you were considering for your baby, seeing the baby’s nursery at home, or receiving your breast milk might be heartbreaking reminders of your loss after you leave the hospital. You may require assistance in learning how to cope with these events and the emotions they elicit. Request that your health care practitioner assist you in locating a grief counselor to assist you in coping with the death of your baby. Alternatively, your hospital may offer a grieving and loss program for families. Counseling can be extremely beneficial to you and your family.
You may be at risk for postpartum depression if you have a stillbirth (also called PPD). PPD is a type of depression that some women experience after giving birth to a child. Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing signs or symptoms of PPD, such as feeling down most of the time, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, or having difficulties eating or sleeping.
- From suffering to recovery (free booklet from the March of Dimes for grieving parents)
- The First Light (support for families with children who died of SIDS or preventable stillbirth)
- Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Journey Program (support for families after the death of a child)
- Perinatal Hospice & Palliative Care (resources for parents who learn their baby has a life-limiting disease during pregnancy).
How much does it cost to bury a fetus?
How Much Does a Funeral for an Infant or Stillborn Baby Cost? Funeral costs can be shockingly high, especially if you’re taken off surprise. A funeral for a newborn or stillborn baby costs around $3,000 on average. A burial might cost anywhere from $900 to $1,500.
Can I take my dead baby home?
You may wish to outfit your baby in specific clothing, wrap them in a special blanket, or bathe them.
You might want to spend the night with your kid in a cot next to you. For this, the hospital might supply a customized cool cot.
You might wish to sing to your infant or read a story to them. Some parents prefer to say specific prayers with their children.
Allow yourself as much time as you require. It is up to you and your child to make the decision. It is entirely up to you to determine who is with you and who is not. The hospital personnel will assist you with this.
Some parents choose to bring their children home with them. Unless a coroner or procurator fiscal has ordered a post-mortem, you can do so legally.
Inquire with your midwife about taking your baby home. You’ll need to fill out a questionnaire to learn how to keep your infant cool at home.
“Until the funeral, Owen stayed with us at home. His nursery was ready for him, so it seemed reasonable to keep him there for the next three days, in a coffin in his cot. It was reassuring to have him at home with us.”
This is your baby’s time, and these are your memories. You and your family will know what is best for you.
You have the option of naming your child. If you’re unsure about your baby’s gender, consider a name that could be appropriate for either gender.
You can still go back to the hospital to see your kid after you’ve been released from the hospital. You can make arrangements with the labor ward, mortuary, or bereavement midwife. You will be able to carry your infant to the mortuary when the time comes. This will also allow you to meet the individuals who will be caring for your child.
More information on creating memories of your infant, planning a funeral, and scheduling a blessing can be found here.
How soon can I get pregnant after stillbirth?
(HealthDay News) FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) According to a new study, women who become pregnant within a year of a stillbirth had no increased risk of second stillbirth or other difficulties than those who wait at least two years.
Women should wait at least two years after a live delivery and at least six months following a miscarriage (fetus loss before 20 weeks of pregnancy) or induced abortion before trying to conceive again, according to the World Health Organization. However, due to a lack of research, there is no suggestion for how long to wait after a stillbirth.
Researchers looked at roughly 14,500 single births between 1980 and 2016 among women who had previously experienced a stillbirth (defined by the researchers as a loss after 22 weeks of pregnancy). The women came from three countries: Australia, Finland, and Norway.
98 percent of the newborns studied were live; 18 percent were preterm, and 9% were small-for-gestational-age babies. 88 percent of preterm births and 12 percent of full-term births were stillborn in the 2% of pregnancies that ended in stillbirth.
The study indicated that waiting fewer than 12 months to conceive following a stillbirth had no increased risk of subsequent stillbirth, preterm delivery, or small-for-gestational-age birth when compared to waiting 24 to 59 months.
After a stillbirth, the median period between getting pregnant again was nine months, compared to 25 months after a live birth.
According to a research published Feb. 28 in The Lancet medical journal, 63 percent of women who experienced a stillbirth got pregnant again within a year, and 37 percent within six months.
“In high-income nations, about 3.5 out of 1,000 newborns are stillborn, and there is limited assistance available for planning future pregnancies,” study author Annette Regan, a research fellow at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, stated.
In a journal news release, Regan remarked, “We believe that our findings might provide confidence to women who aspire to become pregnant or who unexpectedly become pregnant shortly after a stillbirth.”
Dr. Mark Klebanoff is the chief investigator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio’s Center for Perinatal Research. He also contributed an editorial to the study.
According to Klebanoff, the interval between pregnancies appears to be less relevant than previously thought, at least for women in high-income countries.
“Rather than following rigid guidelines, clinical suggestions should take into account a woman’s present health status, her current age in relation to her aspirations for child spacing and ultimate family size, and, especially after a loss, her emotional preparedness to become pregnant again,” he said.