What is the Difference Between a Miscarriage and a Stillbirth?
Regardless if you had a miscarriage or stillbirth, you are still a mom; you are still a dad. No one can take that title from you. Just because your child’s race was shorter than yours doesn’t negate the fact that you are a parent.
Miscarriage and stillbirth are both terms used often to describe pregnancy loss, but they refer to different stages of pregnancy loss. If you’ve ever wondered what differentiates a miscarriage from a stillbirth, keep reading for some descriptors of both types of loss.
In the United States, a miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. It can occur for various reasons, including genetic abnormalities in the baby, hormonal imbalances, maternal health problems, or infections. Miscarriages are, unfortunately, relatively common, with up to 30% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage.
Miscarriage is an often unpreventable event, but there are some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of experiencing a miscarriage. Some of these risk factors include:
Age: Women over the age of 35 are at a higher risk of miscarriage than younger women.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases, can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol, and drug use have been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage.
Obesity: Women who are obese have a higher risk of miscarriage
Previous miscarriage: Women who have experienced a previous pregnancy and miscarriage are at a slightly higher risk of experiencing another miscarriage.
Infections: Certain infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Chromosomal abnormalities: A significant number of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the developing child.
It's important to note that many miscarriages occur for no known reason and are not related to any specific risk factors. If you have experienced a miscarriage, it does not mean that you will necessarily experience another one. If you are concerned about your risk of miscarriage, it's important to talk to your doctor, who can provide personalized guidance based on your individual circumstances.
The term stillbirth, on the other hand, is the loss of a pregnancy after the 20th week of gestation. It is often caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, fetal abnormalities, or maternal health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Stillbirths are less common than miscarriages, occurring in approximately 1 in 100 pregnancies.
The causes of stillbirth can be complex and often not fully understood, but there are several risk factors that may increase the likelihood of a stillbirth occurring. Some of these risk factors include:
Maternal age: Women over the age of 35 are at a higher risk of stillbirth than younger women.
Previous stillbirth: Women who have had a previous stillbirth have an increased risk of experiencing another stillbirth.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or autoimmune disorders, can increase the risk of stillbirth.
Pregnancy complications: Complications during pregnancy, such as placental problems, fetal growth restriction, or preterm labor, can increase the risk of stillbirth.
Smoking, alcohol, and drug use: These behaviors have been linked to an increased risk of stillbirth.
Obesity: Women who are obese have an increased risk of stillbirth.
Multiple pregnancies: Women carrying twins or triplets have a higher risk of stillbirth than those carrying a single baby.
Not all stillbirths have identifiable risk factors, and many women who experience stillbirth have no known risk factors.
On a personal note - In 2018, when Alyson and I walked through the stillbirths of our children at around 38 weeks gestation, we were almost offended when our losses were called a “miscarriage”. One thing that we didn’t realize until then, was how “fetal demises” are medically coded with words that might shock or surprise you. Sometimes you hear “missed miscarriage” in cases where a baby passes in the womb, but the mother hasn’t experienced any symptoms, such as bleeding or pain. In some instances, you might see or hear the word, “spontaneous abortion”. This is a common medical term that just means the loss of a fetus, it does not imply an intention to abort. Guard your heart around this, I know we had to.
Also, in the instance of an infant loss, you cannot categorize them with a pregnancy loss. While they have many similarities in the loss, there are many more differences in the entire experience. Some women have great pregnancies and had a wonderful birth experience, and unfortunately their baby passes because of SIDS. No matter how or when, be sensitive with the “name” that you give loss, as it can be hurtful to some. Instead, approach each person and each loss with care. Each loss was a person and that person was their child.
Regardless of the timing, a pregnancy loss is always a devastating experience. It is natural to grieve the loss of a baby, no matter how far along your pregnancy was. We are so sorry for the pain you are feeling and we want you to know that you are welcome here!
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