What is stillbirth and what causes it?

Stillbirth is a term used to describe the death of a baby before delivery in a pregnancy that has lasted at least 20 weeks gestation. The following are conditions that can contribute to a stillbirth, but in many stillbirths, a cause is never identified. Potential causes include: umbilical cord accidents, maternal infections, anatomical defects in the fetus, maternal age, chromosomal abnormalities, Rh incompatibility, maternal Diabetes, preeclampsia, post-term pregnancy, trauma to the mother or baby, placental insufficiencies or abruptions, growth restriction of the fetus, maternal weight, maternal use of drugs not appropriate for pregnancy, or other significant illness of the mother.