One Stillbirth Greatly Raises Odds for Another: Study
One Stillbirth Greatly Raises Odds for Another: Study
Still, most second pregnancies lead to normal, healthy babies, experts say
The report was published June 24 in the BMJ.
Dr. Victor Rosenberg, director of the Center for Thrombophilia and Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said, "The first question a patient always asks me after experiencing a pregnancy loss is -- 'What are the chances of this happening again?' "
"The overall risk is still small, given that the baseline risk of stillbirth in the U.S. is only 6.2 per 1,000 pregnancies," said Rosenberg, who was not involved with the study.
Dr. Alexander Heazell, a senior clinical lecturer in obstetrics at the University of Manchester in England and author of an accompanying journal editorial, said that pregnancies after a stillbirth need to be carefully monitored.
"We would do scans to make sure the baby is growing normally and identify problems before they happen," he said. "The most common cause of stillbirth, the thing that doesn't work normally, is something that doesn't give the baby enough food and it wastes away," Heazell said.
Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said, "A stillbirth is a catastrophic event for a family."
More information is still needed on how best to improve outcomes, she said. "When a family experiences a stillbirth, recovering is a difficult and long process that is often greatly helped by a new healthy baby," Wu said.
Bhattacharya said that cutting down on the risk of a stillbirth begins before pregnancy. "Mums-to-be can lead a healthy life, stop smoking and attain a healthy weight," she said.
Once a woman becomes pregnant again after a stillbirth, she should consult her midwife or doctor early, be aware of any signs that the baby is not growing or moving adequately and see her doctor or midwife if she's worried, Bhattacharya said.
One Stillbirth Greatly Raises Odds for Another
Still, most second pregnancies lead to normal, healthy babies, experts say
The report was published June 24 in the BMJ.
Dr. Victor Rosenberg, director of the Center for Thrombophilia and Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., said, "The first question a patient always asks me after experiencing a pregnancy loss is -- 'What are the chances of this happening again?' "
"The overall risk is still small, given that the baseline risk of stillbirth in the U.S. is only 6.2 per 1,000 pregnancies," said Rosenberg, who was not involved with the study.
Dr. Alexander Heazell, a senior clinical lecturer in obstetrics at the University of Manchester in England and author of an accompanying journal editorial, said that pregnancies after a stillbirth need to be carefully monitored.
"We would do scans to make sure the baby is growing normally and identify problems before they happen," he said. "The most common cause of stillbirth, the thing that doesn't work normally, is something that doesn't give the baby enough food and it wastes away," Heazell said.
Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said, "A stillbirth is a catastrophic event for a family."
More information is still needed on how best to improve outcomes, she said. "When a family experiences a stillbirth, recovering is a difficult and long process that is often greatly helped by a new healthy baby," Wu said.
Bhattacharya said that cutting down on the risk of a stillbirth begins before pregnancy. "Mums-to-be can lead a healthy life, stop smoking and attain a healthy weight," she said.
Once a woman becomes pregnant again after a stillbirth, she should consult her midwife or doctor early, be aware of any signs that the baby is not growing or moving adequately and see her doctor or midwife if she's worried, Bhattacharya said.
Source...