Stillbirth occurs in families of all races, religions, and income levels. Each year in the United States about 25,000 babies, or 68 babies every day, are born still. This is about 1 stillbirth in every 115 births. Most often a stillbirth is detected while the baby is in the mother's uterus, sometimes not until labor is underway. When a specific cause is not identified, evaluation may still be helpful by at least ruling out potential high risks for recurrence.
Birth defects are common but often overlooked causes for stillbirth.
About one-fourth of babies who are stillborn have one or more birth defects that are responsible for their death. Problems in either one may completely cut off or severely interfere with the needed flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby. Although commonly pointed to as the likely cause for death of a baby, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord actually account for only a moderate number of stillbirths. Although uncommon, maternal conditions may be responsible for stillbirth. Certain illnesses in the mother, such as diabetes or hypertension, and their treatments, sometimes cause stillbirths.