What is the Main Cause of Stillbirth?
Stillbirth is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face.
It is also one of the least talked about. We can chalk this up to the fact that the outside world often doesn’t see our loss resulting in disenfranchised grief or ambiguous grief and loss.
Many parents leave the hospital with unanswered questions about what happened and why.
Understanding the causes of stillbirth is important not only for grieving families but also for healthcare professionals working to improve prevention and care.
I will be transparent and tell you that at least half of families will never know the cause of the stillbirth of their baby according to Star Legacy Foundation. They also highlight that it is one of the most understudied issue in medicine.
What is stillbirth?
Stillbirth is defined as the death of a baby in the womb at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. You may find information that shows a different number, and that is often because places like the UK and Australia have slightly different variations of this number.
In the United States, approximately 1 in 175 pregnancies ends in stillbirth, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Around 20,000 families experience this loss every year, just in the united states. Worldwide, there are more than 2.6 million stillbirths every year. (Blencowe, et al., 2016)
The main causes of stillbirth
Stillbirth can happen for many different reasons. In some cases, a clear cause is identified. In others, the loss remains unexplained.
Research from theStar Legacy Foundation highlights several common contributing factors.
Placental problems
The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
Placental complications are one of the most common causes of stillbirth and may include:
placental insufficiency
placental abruption
umbilical cord complications
When the placenta cannot adequately support the baby, the pregnancy can become life threatening.
When Evelyn was stillborn they could not give me an exact reason why she died. BUT because the cord was wrapped tightly around her shoulders and the placenta came out right after she did, they decided it was a partial placental abruption and cord accident. I will tell you as a mother I was not satisfied with that answer, but to be honest, I don’ think I would have been satisfied with any answer they did give me.
Genetic or congenital conditions
Some babies develop serious genetic conditions or structural abnormalities that affect survival.
These may include:
chromosomal abnormalities
severe congenital anomalies
metabolic disorders
Infection
Certain infections during pregnancy can lead to stillbirth.
Examples include:
listeria
syphilis
toxoplasmosis
viral infections
Maternal health conditions
Some maternal health conditions increase the risk of stillbirth, including:
high blood pressure
diabetes
autoimmune conditions
clotting disorders
Umbilical cord accidents
Cord complications can sometimes interfere with oxygen supply to the baby.
Examples include:
cord knots
cord compression
cord prolapse
When no cause is found
Despite medical evaluation, some stillbirths remain unexplained. For grieving parents, this can be incredibly painful.
Not having an answer does not mean the loss was preventable or that someone did something wrong. Stillbirth research continues to improve understanding and prevention.
When no cause of death is found after a stillbirth, families are often left carrying a different kind of grief. Research shows that “unexplained stillbirth” can intensify feelings of guilt, self-blame, anxiety, and ongoing rumination because the brain is wired to search for answers, especially after trauma. Without those answers, many parents replay every moment of their pregnancy, wondering what they missed, what they could have done differently, or if this could happen again.
When that answer never comes, it can feel like being stuck in the question forever. This kind of grief can be complex because it is not just about losing a baby, it is also about losing certainty, safety, and trust in your own body and the world around you. If this is your experience, I want you to hear this: not having an answer does not mean you failed your baby. It does not mean you missed something. Sometimes medicine does not yet have the explanation, but that does not change the depth of your love or the truth of your baby’s life. You are allowed to grieve both the loss of your baby and the absence of answers, and both deserve to be held with compassion.
Why stillbirth education matters
Stillbirth has historically received far less research funding and public awareness than other pregnancy complications.
Organizations like the Star Legacy Foundation are working to change that through research, awareness, and prevention initiatives.
Education is also critical for professionals who support grieving families.
Compassionate communication and trauma-informed care can profoundly shape a family's experience during and after loss.
If you are a grieving parent
You are not alone, and support is available.
Find resources and guidance here:
https://www.evelynjamesandco.com/findsupport
You can also explore remembrance gifts and grief support items here:
https://evelynjamesandco.etsy.com
If you are a professional supporting families
Pregnancy and infant loss education can help you provide compassionate, informed care to families experiencing devastating loss.
Learn more about our trainings here:
https://www.evelynjamesandco.com/training-calendar
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stillbirth statistics.
Star Legacy Foundation. Stillbirth Research and Education.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Management of Stillbirth.
Silver, R. M. (2015). Causes of stillbirth.
