Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is defined as the spontaneous death of a fetus weighing 500 gm after 20 weeks of gestation due to genetic disease or infection.
Losing a child is a pain that no parent should ever have to endure. For parents who lose a child during gestation, the experience can be even more confusing and isolating. If you have recently suffered the loss of a child in utero, it is important to understand what this type of death means.
This article will provide information about intrauterine fetal death, including the causes and symptoms. We hope that this information will help you cope with your loss and provide some comfort during this difficult time.
What is intrauterine fetal death?
Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is defined as the spontaneous death of a fetus weighing 500 gm after 20 weeks of gestation.
Intrauterine stillbirth is the medical term used to describe the death of a fetus in the womb. Losses at or after the 20th week of gestation are usually considered antepartum deaths.
When a fetus is lost earlier in pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation, it is classified as a miscarriage and handled differently by medical examiners.
Causes of intrauterine fetal death
There are many potential causes of intrauterine fetal death. In some cases, the cause may be unknown. Potential causes of IUFD include:
- An infection in the mother or fetus
- A placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery)
- A problem with the umbilical cord
- A problem with the fetus, such as a birth defect
- Preeclampsia (a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine)
- Smoking or exposure to other toxins
- Stress
- Diabetes
- Severe anemia
- Hyperpyrexia
- Rh-incompatibility
- The external version may result in a true knot or entanglement of the cord around the neck
- Maternal trauma
- Cord prolapse
Risk factors for
Risk factors for stillbirth include:
- being pregnant with twins or higher-order multiples
- having a history of stillbirth
- being African American
- maternal age 35 or older
- obesity
- smoking cigarettes during pregnancy
- illicit drug use during pregnancy
- certain medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections
Symptoms of intrauterine fetal death
The most common symptom of IUFD is the absence of fetal movement. Other potential symptoms include:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Leaking fluid from the vagina
- Decreased urine output
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Gradual retrogression of the breast changes and fundal height of the uterus
- Absent fetal heart sound
- Eggshell crackling feel of the fetal head
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death
IUFD is diagnosed when the fetus dies in utero, and delivery is inevitable. Fetal death may be diagnosed during a routine prenatal visit or after symptoms develop.
To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare provider will order an ultrasound. The ultrasound will show if the fetus has died or if there is still heart activity.
Management
If there is no heart activity, your healthcare provider will likely induce labor or perform a C-section.
After the delivery, you will be asked to sign a certificate of fetal death. This document is important for legal and social purposes.
You will also be given the option to have an autopsy performed on the fetus. An autopsy can help determine the cause of death and provide closure for the parents.
It is important to remember that stillbirth is not your fault. There is nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening.
If you have experienced a stillbirth, know that you are not alone. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 24,000 fetal deaths occur in the United States each year. And while it is impossible to fully prepare for the death of a child, knowing what to expect can help you through the grieving process.
The first step is to accept that your baby has died. This is a difficult thing to do, but it is important to allow yourself to grieve.
It is also important to talk about your baby. Some parents feel like they need to keep their baby’s death a secret, but this can make the grieving process more difficult.
Talk to your friends and family about your baby. Share your memories and photos. Naming your baby can also help you to cope with the loss.
It is also important that you take care of yourself during this difficult time. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and exercise regularly. Avoid alcohol and drugs as they can hinder the grieving process.
Finally, seek out support groups or counseling. Talking to other parents who have experienced a stillbirth can be helpful. A counselor can also help you to deal with your grief healthily.
No one knows how to deal with the death of a child, but seeking out support can help you to get through this difficult time.
Prevention of intrauterine fetal death
There is no sure way to prevent IUFD, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk.
- Get early and regular prenatal care. This will help your healthcare provider to identify any potential problems early on.
- Keep all of your prenatal appointments. This will allow your healthcare provider to monitor your pregnancy closely.
- Control any chronic medical conditions you have, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs. These substances can increase your risk of IUFD.
If you have a history of stillbirth, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of future pregnancies.
- Get early and regular prenatal care.
- Have frequent prenatal appointments.
- Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- Deliver at a hospital with a high-risk obstetrical unit.
Intrauterine fetal death is a tragedy that no parent should have to go through. But by getting early and regular prenatal care, you can help to lower your risk. If you have experienced a stillbirth, know that you are not alone and that there is support available to help you through this difficult time.
