Management of pregnancy after stillbirth

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Sep;53(3):700-9. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181eba25e.

Abstract

It is difficult for clinicians to counsel, evaluate, and manage subsequent pregnancies after stillbirth as little is known about pregnancy outcome after a stillbirth. In a significant number of cases, either the evaluation was incomplete or the prior stillbirth remains unexplained despite a complete work-up. In addition, there are important psychological and emotional issues when dealing with a pregnancy resulting in a stillbirth. The overall recurrence risk for stillbirth is increased 2 to 10 folds in the next pregnancy, depending on the circumstances. Understanding the circumstances of the previous stillbirth is important for counseling about stillbirth recurrence risk. Categorization of the cause of the previous stillbirth will allow better estimation of individual recurrence risk of the condition that is associated with stillbirth and help guide management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood
  • Female
  • Fetal Development
  • Humans
  • Nuchal Translucency Measurement
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / analysis
  • Prenatal Care
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Stillbirth*
  • Uterine Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • alpha-Fetoproteins
  • Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A
  • Aspirin