Quick read
Key points
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A stillbirth is the death of a baby before or during birth, from 24 weeks of pregnancy onward. It is a devastating loss, and however and whenever it happens, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Many stillbirths have no clearly identified cause, even after investigation, which can be an especially difficult part of the experience to come to terms with.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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You notice reduced or absent fetal movements at any point
01 · Know
What is Stillbirth?
A stillbirth is the death of a baby before or during birth, from 24 weeks of pregnancy onward. It is a devastating loss, and however and whenever it happens, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Many stillbirths have no clearly identified cause, even after investigation, which can be an especially difficult part of the experience to come to terms with.
If you have experienced a stillbirth, please know that support exists — from your maternity team, GP, bereavement counselling services, and organisations dedicated to supporting parents through this loss. You are not expected to move through this alone or on any particular timeline.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Reduced movements should always be reported promptly
If you notice your baby moving less than usual at any point in pregnancy, contact your maternity team straight away rather than waiting to see if movements pick up — this is one of the most important things you can do to protect your baby's wellbeing.
03 · Act
During a Future Pregnancy, Contact Your Team If
- 1You notice reduced or absent fetal movements at any point
- 2You have any bleeding, pain, or other concerns
- 3You would like additional monitoring or support given a previous loss — this is a completely reasonable request
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
There Is No Right Way Through This
Grief after stillbirth doesn't follow a set path or timeline. Whatever you're feeling — grief, anger, guilt, numbness, or all of these at different times — is a valid response to a profound loss.
- 1Reach out to your care team.They can offer guidance on physical recovery, answer questions about what happened, and connect you with bereavement support.
- 2Accept support from bereavement services.Specialist counselling and support groups exist specifically for parents who have experienced stillbirth, and many find comfort in connecting with others who understand.
- 3Give yourself time.There is no expected timeline for grief — be patient with yourself and those close to you.
- 4Involve your partner or support person.Loss affects partners too, often differently — open communication and shared support can help.
- 5Ask about future pregnancies when you're ready.Many people go on to have healthy pregnancies after a stillbirth, and your team can discuss additional monitoring and support for the future, whenever you feel ready to talk about it.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Stillbirth ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Stillbirth is a profound loss, and support is available for as long as you need it.
You are not alone — bereavement support services and your maternity team are there to help, whenever and however you need them.