If a baby dies inside the womb after the 24th week of pregnancy, this is known as a stillbirth. For many stillborn babies, the cause of death is unknown. Some possible causes of stillbirth are:
- bleeding
- problems with the placenta, which may mean the baby wasn't getting enough oxygen or food
- problems with the umbilical cord, which attaches the placenta to the baby via the belly button
- pre-eclampsia – this is a condition that causes pregnant women to have high blood pressure, which can cause complications for the baby
- genetic defects – this is when there's something wrong with the baby's genes, which could have been passed down from previous generations rather than from either of the parents directly
- infections – the mother may become infected with an illness that can pass through the placenta and make the baby ill.
After a stillbirth, many parents want to see and hold their baby. This is a personal choice. You'll be given some quiet time with your baby, if this is what you want. If you choose to, you can take photographs of your baby and keep mementos such as hand or foot prints. Or a lock of hair. You may want to name your baby. Not every parent wants to do this – it's your choice about what you want to do.
You might be confused about how you feel after losing your baby. Your might feel sad or depressed, angry or guilty. Maybe you're not sure how you feel.
Often, friends and family don't know what to say. You may feel pressured into getting back to 'normal', when all you want to do is to grieve for your baby. It's important to talk about how you're feeling. We're always here to talk and you can contact us about anything.
The father of the child will also be experiencing a range of emotions. It might help to talk together about what you're thinking and feeling. You might also want to talk to someone on your own. Remember, we're here to talk and can answer any questions you might have.