Stillbirth happens when a baby dies in the womb after a certain point in pregnancy (often after 20–24 weeks), and it can have many different medical causes as well as cases where no clear reason is ever found. It is almost never caused by anything a parent did or did not do, which can be very important to hear when people are looking for an explanation.

Why do stillbirths happen?

Stillbirth is usually the end result of something disrupting the baby’s supply of oxygen and nutrients or affecting development, rather than a single sudden mistake or action by the parents. In a significant number of cases, even after thorough medical tests, the cause remains unexplained, which can leave families with painful unanswered questions.

Major medical causes

Many stillbirths are linked to problems with the placenta , umbilical cord, or the baby’s development itself.

  • Placenta problems
    • Placenta not working properly so the baby does not get enough oxygen or nutrients (often called fetal growth restriction).
* Placental abruption, where the placenta separates from the womb before birth, cutting off or severely reducing the baby’s oxygen supply.
  • Umbilical cord problems
    • The cord becoming knotted, twisted, compressed, or slipping down through the cervix (cord prolapse), which can suddenly block blood and oxygen flow to the baby.
* These cord accidents often happen close to term or during labour and may occur with little warning.
  • Baby’s development and genetic conditions
    • Structural anomalies such as severe brain or organ malformations can be incompatible with life and lead to stillbirth.
* Genetic or chromosomal conditions (for example, Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, Patau’s syndrome) are linked with a proportion of stillbirths.
  • Infections
    • Infections can travel from the vagina to the womb and infect the placenta, membranes, or cord (for example chorioamnionitis or funisitis), disrupting the environment the baby relies on.
* Other infections associated with stillbirth include toxoplasmosis, listeriosis, parvovirus, rubella, malaria, and several viral illnesses.

Parental health and pregnancy factors

Sometimes stillbirth is related more to the overall conditions around the pregnancy than to a single defect.

  • Health conditions in the pregnant person
    • High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia can damage the placenta and reduce blood flow to the baby.
* Diabetes, obesity, lupus, blood clotting disorders, thyroid disease and some chronic illnesses are all linked to higher stillbirth risk.
  • Pregnancy complications
    • Very early preterm labour, carrying twins or higher multiples, and pregnancies that continue far beyond the due date (post‑term) all carry an increased risk.
* Significant bleeding before or during labour or severe abdominal trauma (for example from a major accident) can also lead to stillbirth.
  • Social and systemic factors
    • Globally, stillbirths are more common where people face poverty, limited access to antenatal care, and systemic barriers in healthcare.
* Research shows that refugee, migrant, and marginalized communities often experience more stillbirths, partly because care is not always culturally safe or accessible.

When no cause is found

One of the hardest realities is that even with detailed investigation, including tests on the placenta, baby, and parent, a clear cause is not found in many cases. This “unexplained stillbirth” label is deeply frustrating for families, but it does not mean nothing happened; it means today’s tests could not identify a definite reason.

Doctors may still look at patterns such as baby’s growth, placental appearance, and any health conditions in the pregnancy to estimate what was most likely, but often they have to be honest about uncertainty. For many parents, support afterwards focuses less on a neat medical explanation and more on grief, trauma, and planning safely for any future pregnancies.

Can stillbirths be prevented?

Not every stillbirth can be prevented, but certain steps and systems can reduce risk over time.

  • Good antenatal care
    • Regular check‑ups, blood pressure checks, urine tests, and scans help detect growth problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes early.
* Extra monitoring may be offered if there are risk factors like previous stillbirth, multiple pregnancy, or medical conditions.
  • Health and lifestyle measures
    • Managing conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, avoiding smoking and substances, and seeking help quickly for reduced baby movements or bleeding can all be important.
* In some high‑risk situations, doctors may recommend early delivery if staying pregnant appears more dangerous than giving birth.

Across recent years, there has been more public conversation about stillbirth prevention, including how health professionals talk with parents about warning signs and risks in a sensitive, culturally safe way. Still, globally, millions of families are affected each year, and reducing stillbirths remains an ongoing priority in maternity care.

Important: If you or someone you know has been through a stillbirth, this is a profound loss, not a failure. Support from bereavement counsellors, peer groups, or specialized baby‑loss charities can help families navigate grief and, when they are ready, talk about future pregnancies.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.