• Placenta complications

  • The placenta links the baby's blood supply to the mother. Issues with the placenta can lead to the baby not receiving the vital nutrients they need to survive.

• Bleeding (Haemorrhage)

  • Compromises the blood flow to the baby.

• Placental abruption

  • The placenta detaches from the uterus wall, leading to a complete stop of the blood flow from mother to baby.

• Pre-eclampsia

  • A condition causing high blood pressure, which can impact the placenta's function.

• Umbilical cord complications

  • Cord prolapse (cord slips through the cervix before the baby) or the cord becoming knotted, which can block the blood flow to the baby.

• Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis

  • Liver disorder associated with severe itching.

  • Severe ICP can lead to a buildup of bile acid, which crosses the placenta and affects the baby's heart muscle. This is sudden and unpredictable.

• Genetic defects

  • Abnormalities causing fetal structural anomalies or malformations can increase the risk of a stillbirth.

  • There are many different types of genetic defects which could happen.

• Pre-existing diabetes

  • High blood sugar levels are major risk factors for complications to occur, which could lead to a stillbirth.

• Infections

  • Infections which directly affect the fetus, damage the placenta or cause severe maternal illness can contribute to a stillbirth.

You may be offered the following tests:

• Blood tests

  • Can show whether you had pre-eclampsia, obstetric cholestasis or diabetes

• Examination of the placenta, membranes and umbilical cord

  • Checks for abnormalities with the tissues that support your baby throughout pregnancy.

• Tests for infection

  • Usually, a urine sample, blood sample or vaginal/cervical swab is taken to be tested.

• Thyroid function testing

  • Checks for conditions affecting the thyroid glands.

• Genetics testing

  • A small sample of the umbilical cord is taken for testing.

Post-Mortems

• This is an examination of your baby's body, which can provide more information on why your baby passed.

• This can only happen with your written consent, and you will be asked if you want this.

• A Post-mortem will involve looking at your baby's organs in detail, blood and tissue samples and genetic testing.

• This should all be explained to you before you decide.

This appointment is to check your health and discuss any findings from tests you may have consented to. 

• You can also use this appointment to discuss future pregnancies and if there is anything you can do to help reduce the chance of it happening again.

• It might be helpful to write down questions you have to bring with you.

• You can wait to let the milk 'dry up' on its own if you would like

• Medication can be given to help stop milk production - these can have a few side effects

  • not suitable for those with pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure or post-partum psychosis.

Your midwife or doctor should discuss all the options with you.