What are the signs of stillbirth?
A gentle but important note before we begin
This blog is not written to scare you. It is written to inform, empower, and support you. I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice.
If you feel like something is wrong with your baby or your pregnancy, GO IN immediately.
Do not wait. Do not Google. Do not second-guess yourself.
Go to labor and delivery or the emergency room right away.
What is stillbirth?
Stillbirth is defined as the death of a baby in the womb at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. In the United States, it affects about 1 in 175 pregnancies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There are many causes of stillbirth, and sometimes, even after testing, no cause is found. What we do know is that awareness of changes in your baby’s movements and your body can be life-saving in some cases.
The most common sign of stillbirth: changes in movement
Decreased or absent fetal movement
Babies have patterns. You begin to learn them: when they are active, when they are quiet, how they respond to food, rest, or touch.
A significant change in that pattern matters. According to research supported by organizations like the Star Legacy Foundation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
A sudden decrease in movement
No movement
Movement that feels significantly weaker
…should always be evaluated.
Trust this: you are not overreacting. If something feels different, it is worth getting checked.
Other possible warning signs
While decreased movement is the most common, other symptoms may include:
1. Changes in the baby’s usual pattern
Not just fewer movements, but different movements. Slower. Less strong. Less frequent.
2. Severe abdominal pain or cramping
This can sometimes indicate placental issues or other complications.
3. Vaginal bleeding
Bleeding in pregnancy should always be evaluated immediately.
4. Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms
In some cases, parents report a sudden shift in how they feel physically.
5. Intuition that something is wrong
This is not talked about enough, but it matters. Many families share that they knew something felt off. Your intuition is not something to dismiss.
My story and why this matters
When I lost my daughter Evelyn to stillbirth at 40 weeks, there were moments that, now, looking back, I question. Not because I did anything wrong, but because we are not always taught what to look for, what matters, or how urgently we should act. When my body went into labor, I noticed a decrease in movement the day she died. I didn’t know healthy, living babies could die in our wombs. No one warned me or taught me to be on the lookout for decreased movement. I was told things like, “babies slow down before birth”, “they are tucked in and may not move as much “, “they are preparing for birth and saving their energy stores..” Like, where did these lies come from?! I continued on that day, and the worry grew. I talked to my doula, and she told me we can go in if there are concerns, and I said no, I’m probably just overreacting, etc. I was spotting, but that can also be a common symptom close to birth with the mucous plug and all the things happening in our bodies, so it was not a serious concern for me. I mean I had two healthy babies before this one, that means nothing will ever happen to me. I was made to create babies- this was my thought process. Again, I share this with you not to scare you but to help you see that what looks normal, or what you are told is normal, is not always normal.
And when it comes to our babies, I don’t think there is such a thing as overreacting. We deserve to be treated with love and care by our providers and checked when we ask. We should never be met with annoyance when the lives of our babies could be at stake.
Where did we start telling mothers they cannot trust their instincts, you're overreacting, drink some juice, jiggle your baby and wake them up, take a walk? How is it that when we are fearful,or we think something is wrong because of an intuition that has been honed over thousands of years, we are met with annoyance when we call the people who are supposed to help us? These are human lives, and yet, drinking juice and waiting an hour is an acceptable response to “ I think something is wrong with my baby”. Why are our babies not treated like babies until they are outside of the womb?
And this is where I want to be very clear:
You are allowed to go in.
You are allowed to be checked.
You are allowed to take up space in your care.
What to do if you notice a change
Let’s make this simple and clear. If you notice decreased movement or if something feels wrong:
GO IN immediately.
Do not:
Wait for your next appointment
Wait to see if it improves
Rely only on drinking juice or changing positions
Worry about bothering anyone
Healthcare providers would always rather check and find everything is okay than miss something important.
Why is awareness important?
This is one of the most important parts of this conversation. Awareness is not about responsibility or blame.
Even when all signs are followed, stillbirth can still happen. Many causes are not preventable.
If you are reading this after a loss, please hear this:
You did not cause this.
You did not miss something on purpose.
You loved your baby. That is what matters.
For families navigating fear during pregnancy
Reading about stillbirth can feel overwhelming.
If you are currently pregnant, here is what I want you to take with you:
Learn your baby’s movement patterns
Trust your instincts
Seek care immediately if something feels off
Advocate for yourself
And also:
Take breaks from information when needed
Protect your peace
Stay supported
Please learn more at countthekicks.org. You can download their app for free and learn how to understand and follow your baby’s movements. And make sure to start counting by at least week 28.
Here are stories of Baby Saves, by using the Count the kicks app/program.
Support resources
If this topic feels close to home, you are not alone.
You can find support, resources, and guidance here:
👉 https://www.evelynjamesandco.com/findsupport
You can also listen to conversations on pregnancy loss and healing on:
🎧 The Pregnancy Loss and Motherhood Podcast
And for remembrance and support items:
🕊️ https://evelynjamesandco.etsy.com
For professionals supporting families
If you are a provider, doula, nurse, or therapist, conversations like this matter.
Families need professionals who:
take concerns seriously
understand trauma responses
communicate clearly and compassionately
You can learn more about our pregnancy and infant loss trainings here:
👉 https://www.evelynjamesandco.com/training-calendar
Awareness saves lives. But it should never come with fear or blame.
If something feels off, go in.
You deserve to be heard.
Your baby deserves to be checked.
Always.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Star Legacy Foundation
March of Dimes
