1. Health

Stillbirth

From , former About.com Guide

Updated October 26, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition:

A pregnancy loss after the 20th week in which the baby passes away before birth. (A loss before the 20th week is a miscarriage.)

Stillbirths have any number of causes, including chromosomal abnormalities and various medical conditions in the mother. Doctors cannot always find a cause for stillbirths. Normally, stillbirths are one-time occurrences and do not recur in subsequent pregnancies.

Also Known As: Fetal demise

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.