When a full term baby dies in the womb it's known as a term stillbirth, in which a doctor diagnosis the loss through an ultrasound.
If a full term baby dies in the womb (term stillbirth) the doctor or medial team will discuss delivery options that often involve inducing labor to safely deliver the baby vaginally, as this poses less physical risks to the mother than surgery.
Diagnosis of a term stillbirth is confirmed when an ultrasound shows no heartbeat or movement and doctors often recommend medication to begin contractions so that the mother can deliver the baby.
In rare cases, surgery may be used if the vaginal delivery places the mother's health in immediate danger.
After a term stillbirth, the mother's body will still go through postpartum changes which include the potential production of breast milk.
The warning signs of a stillbirth are sudden decrease, weakening or even a complete stop in the baby's kicks and movements.
Other warning signs of a stillbirth are unusual vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage or sharp abdominal and back pain.
Although, some mothers don't experience any noticeable symptoms of a stillbirth at all before a medical checkup.
The key warning signs to watch for that can indicate a stillbirth include reduced movement, where the baby kicks or moves much less than usual, or stops moving completely, vaginal bleeding, which includes any spotting or active bleeding from your vagina, pain and cramping and fluid leakage which involves sudden leaking fluid or fluid discharge.
The number one cause of stillbirth is said to be placental problems, although there's no single main cause of stillbirth.
But Placental problems are the most common known cause of stillbirth and account for up to nearly half of all cases of stillbirth where a specific reason is found.
Common causes of stillbirth include:
Placental issues: Problems like placental abruption (detachment from the womb) or poor blood flow that cut off oxygen and nutrients.
Fetal growth restriction (IUGR): The baby does not grow at the expected rate inside the womb.
Birth defects and genetic conditions: Major structural or chromosomal abnormalities.
Infections: Bacterial or viral infections affecting the baby, placenta, or mother.
Umbilical cord accidents: Issues like cord compression, knots, or a prolapsed cord.
Maternal medical conditions: High blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or diabetes.
The causes of fetal death at full term also known as term stillbirth or intrauterine fetal demise includes placental problems, umbilical cord accidents, severe infections, maternal health conditions and even genetic and birth defects.
In nearly half of all cases of fetal death at full term, the definitive cause actually remains unknown even after extensive evaluation has been done.
Full term stillbirth though is often a result of umbilical cord accidents, problems with the placenta, severe infections and even maternal health conditions.
Although, nearly half of all cases of stillbirth still remain completely unexplained, despite thorough medical evaluation and autopsies being done.
For placental problems that cause stillbirth, these include placental insufficiency or placental abruption.
Placental abruption is when the placenta tears away from the wall of the uterus too early.
And placental insufficiency is when the placenta ages, deteriorates or fails to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
Umbilical cord issues that can lead to stillbirth include umbilical cord compression or knots and structural defects.
Structural defects include issues like a lack of protective tissue (Wharton's jelly) inside the umbilical cord, which can compromise circulation.
Umbilical cord compression or knots include true knots in the umbilical cord that wraps tightly around the baby and can cut off the blood and oxygen flow.
And maternal health conditions that can cause babies to pass away at full term or stillbirth include Preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and Cholestasis.
Preeclampsia results from high blood pressure and organ damage in the mother, which can restrict blood flow to the fetus.
Gestational diabetes results from poorly managed high blood sugar levels that increase late pregnancy risks.
And Cholestasis is a severe liver disorder of pregnancy that can also become dangerous as the term for pregnancy approaches.
Infections such as bacterial and viral illnesses that can result in a baby passing away at full term and lead to stillbirth include conditions like listeria, Group B strep, or severe systemic maternal infections, which can pass to the placenta or fetus and cause fatal inflammation.
Babies can also suddenly pass away even after birth even when full term due to a mix of physical flaws in their brain, hidden genetic traits and even outside triggers such as unsafe sleep environments.
The physical and brain factors that result in babies suddenly passing away include brain defects, low birth weight and breathing trouble.
Brain defects include problems in the part of the baby's brain that controls the breathing and waking up of the baby.
Low birth weight from being born early means the baby's brain and body are less mature and breathing trouble in babies can occur due to a recent mild cold or chest illness that can block the airflow to the baby.