Stillbirth - Preventing stillbirth

Not all stillbirths can be prevented. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

These include:

stopping smoking
avoiding alcohol and drugs during pregnancy – these can seriously affect your baby's development, as well as increasing the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth
attending all your antenatal appointments so that midwives can monitor the growth and wellbeing of your baby
ensuring you are a healthy weight before trying to get pregnant
protecting yourself against infections (see causes of stillbirth) and avoiding certain foods
reporting any tummy pain or vaginal bleeding that you have to your midwife on the same day
monitoring your baby's movements and reporting any concerns you have to your midwife straight away
reporting any itching to your midwife

Some of these are discussed in more detail below.

Your weight

Obesity is a risk factor for stillbirth. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30. You can check your BMI using the healthy weight calculator. However, the calculator may not be accurate if you're pregnant, so you should consult your midwife or doctor instead.

The best way to protect your health and your baby's wellbeing is to lose weight before you become pregnant. By reaching a healthy weight, you cut your risk of all the problems associated with obesity in pregnancy. Your GP can give you advice about how to lose weight.

If you're obese when you become pregnant, your midwife or GP can give you advice about improving your health while pregnant.

Eating healthily and activities such as walking and swimming are good for all pregnant women. If you were not active before becoming pregnant, you should consult your midwife or doctor before starting a new exercise programme while you're pregnant.

Read more about obesity and pregnancy and exercise during pregnancy.

Monitoring your baby's movements

You will usually start feeling some movement between weeks 16 and 20 of your pregnancy, although it can be later than this. These movements may be felt as a kick, flutter, swish or roll.

The number of movements tends to increase until 32 weeks of pregnancy and then stay about the same, although the type of movement may change as you get nearer to your due date. You should continue to feel your baby move up to and during labour.

If you notice your baby is moving less than usual, or if you have noticed a change in the pattern of movements, it may be the first sign that your baby is unwell. It is therefore essential that you contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately so your baby's wellbeing can be assessed.

There is no specific number of movements that is considered to be normal. What is important is noticing and telling your midwife about any reduction or change in your baby's normal movements.

For more information, see the leaflet on Your baby's movements in pregnancy (PDF, 151kb) produced by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Avoiding certain foods

Some foods should be avoided during pregnancy. For example, you should not eat some types of fish or cheese, and you should make sure that all meat and poultry is cooked thoroughly.

Read more about the foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Attending antenatal appointments and reporting any concerns

During your antenatal appointments, your midwife or GP will monitor the development of your baby. They will monitor your baby's growth and position.

You will also be offered tests, including blood pressure tests and urine tests. These are used to detect any illnesses or conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, that may cause complications for you or your baby. Any necessary treatment can be provided promptly and efficiently.