Stillbirth

There are so many thoughts, financial investments, and emotional investments that parents make before the birth of a child. Sweeping projections, hopes, and dreams about the little life that they have created fill their conversations and dialogues with one other and with friends. But for all the forethought and worry about the many things that could go wrong, one that many expectant parents do not consider is the potential for a baby to be stillborn.

This is an understandable omission, because the prospect is terrifying and painful, even just as a thought. However, stillbirths occur at a rate of nearly 70 per day in the United States, leaving tens of thousands of families each year with an unexpected and irreparable grief instead of the anticipated joys of being a new parent. The loss is often perceived as worse than the more commonly thought of miscarriage threat, in part due to the distinction that miscarriages occur prior to the 20th week of pregnancy and stillbirths occur after the 20th week and before birth.

As a result, the expectant parents have had more time to grow attached to their unborn child and the disappointment and sorrow are amplified the closer they are to the due date. There are many questions, but few decisive answers about the causes of a stillbirth. It is estimated that the root problem is discovered in fewer than 50% of stillbirths, and when the source is uncovered it is most typically attributable to either birth defects or failures of the placenta and umbilical cord.

Contact Us

There is no way that others can understand the trauma of having a baby still born. If you have reason to believe that your child’s stillbirth was the result of something done or missed by the medical professionals involved, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyer of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130.