Torsion of the umbilical cord is very common (especially in equine stillbirths) but it is not a natural state of the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord can be untwisted at delivery. The average cord has three twists. Smoke Inhalation - If a pregnant woman gets trapped in a building fire, the smoke and fumes can kill an unborn child.A pregnant woman sleeping on her back after 28 weeks of pregnancy may be a risk factor for stillbirth.After a stillbirth there is a 2.5% risk of another stillbirth in the next pregnancy (an increase from 0.4%).In the United States, highest rates of stillbirths happen in pregnant women who:
are of low socioeconomic status
are aged 35 years or older
have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. are African-American
have previously lost a child during pregnancy
have multiple children at a time (twins, triplets, etc.) Diagnosis
It is unknown how much time is needed for a fetus to die. Fetal behavior is consistent and a change in the fetus movements or sleep-wake cycles can indicate fetal distress. A decrease or cessation in sensations of fetal activity may be an indication of fetal distress or death, though it is not entirely uncommon for a healthy fetus to exhibit such changes, particularly near the end of a pregnancy when there is considerably less space in the uterus than earlier in pregnancy for the fetus to move about.
Stillbirth is typically defined as fetal death at or after 20 or 28 weeks of pregnancy, depending on the source. : Overview tab,  It results in a baby born without signs of life. A stillbirth can result in the feeling of guilt or grief in the mother. The term is in contrast to miscarriage, which is an early pregnancy loss, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, where the baby dies a short time after being born alive.Often the cause is unknown. Causes may include pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and birth complications, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, birth defects, infections such as malaria and syphilis, and poor health in the mother. : Causes tab,  Risk factors include a mothers age over 35, smoking, drug use, use of assisted reproductive technology, and first pregnancy. Stillbirth may be suspected when no fetal movement is felt. Confirmation is by ultrasound.Worldwide prevention of most stillbirths is possible with improved health systems. : Overview tab,  Around half of stillbirths occur during childbirth, with this being more common in the developing than developed world. : Info panel,  Otherwise, depending on how far along the pregnancy is, medications may be used to start labor or a type of surgery known as dilation and evacuation may be carried out. Following a stillbirth, people are at higher risk of another one; however, most subsequent pregnancies do not have similar problems.