Star Legacy Foundation ~ Stillbirth Research & Education

What We Know About Stillbirth

Stillbirth is defined in the US as in utero death of a baby at 20 or more week gestation
100 babies are stillborn in the US each day
30,000 babies are stillborn in the US each year
Ten times as many babies are stillborn than die of SIDS each year
1% of pregnancies end in stillbirth in the US
Minority populations have a greater risk than the population as a whole
In 2/3 of all stillbirths the cause is unknown
Cord problems cause or contribute to 17% of all stillbirths
Placenta problems cause or contribute to 13% of all stillbirths
Sleep position may increase mortality for a baby at risk for stillbirth
Low blood pressure may also be a contributing factor with babies at risk for stillbirth
Thrombosis is coming to light as a stillbirth factor

What We Wonder About

Can obstacles be overcome to routinely identify stillbirth risk factors?
Is there a common denominator between stillbirth and birth injury (cerebral palsy, autism, visual disturbances and intellectual development)?
Given that cord and placenta can be clearly visualized on ultrasound, should it be more frequently utilized to identify vulnerable babies?
How to best manage the pregnancy with known stillbirth risk factors?
If a baby is vulnerable can oxygen deprivation, sleep position and pathophysiology, low blood pressure, cord and placental issues individually or in any combination create the "perfect storm" leading to stillbirth?
Is there something to be learned from prenatal practice in Japan?