Stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery, and it can have multiple causes. Some of the possible causes of stillbirth include:
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Problems with the placenta: The placenta is the organ that links the babys blood supply to the mothers and nourishes the baby in the womb. Complications with the placenta can lead to stillbirth, and placental problems cause about 24 in 100 stillbirths.
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Birth defects and genetic conditions: Fetal genetic problems and birth defects, such as anencephaly, can cause stillbirth.
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Pregnancy and labor complications: Complications during pregnancy and labor, such as preterm labor, pregnancy with twins or triplets, and the separation of the placenta, can cause stillbirth.
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Infection: Infection in the pregnant person, in the womb, in the placenta, or in the fetus can cause stillbirth. Bacterial infections can move from the vagina into the womb, and some bacterial infections, such as chlamydia and mycoplasma or ureaplasma, which are sexually transmitted infections, can be prevented by using condoms during sex.
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Umbilical cord problems: Problems with the umbilical cord, such as when it gets knotted or squeezed, cutting off oxygen to the fetus, can cause stillbirth.
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High blood pressure: High blood pressure in the mother can increase the risk of stillbirth.
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Substance use: Using recreational drugs, smoking, and drinking alcohol can lead to stillbirth.
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Stress: Dealing with significant life stressors, including financial strain and relationship problems, can increase the risk of stillbirth.
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Environment and resource access: Limited access to prenatal care and factors like race can increase the risk of stillbirth. In the U.S., people who are Black experience stillbirths twice as often as people who are white.
In many stillbirths, the cause remains unknown even after extensive testing[[1]](https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/stillbirth/topicinf...
