Stillbirth

A baby who dies after 28 weeks of pregnancy, but before or during birth, is classified as a stillbirth.

There are nearly 2 million stillbirths every year, one each 16 seconds. . Over 40 per cent of all stillbirths occur during labour – a loss that could be avoided with improved quality and respectful care during childbirth including routine monitoring and timely access to emergency obstetric care when required.

Experiencing a stillbirth during pregnancy or childbirth is a tragedy insufficiently addressed in global agendas, policies and funded programmes. There are psychological costs to women, especially women, and their families, such as maternal depression, financial consequences and economic percussions, as well as stigma and taboo.

In 2014, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) which includes a global target of 12 or fewer stillbirths per 1000 total births in every country by 2030. By 2019, 128 mainly high-income and upper middle-income countries had met this target, but many countries have not. Around 84 per cent of all stillbirths occur in low- and lower middle-income countries, however high rates of stillbirths can also be observed in high-income countries within vulnerable groups and ethnic minorities.