Myth: Miscarriage and stillbirth are the same

Miscarriage and stillbirth are two different forms of pregnancy loss, with different definitions, clinical presentations and care pathways.

In Ireland, stillbirth is defined as a baby born with no signs of life at 23 weeks gestation or later, or with a birthweight of 400g or more (43). Stillbirths can happen at any point after 23 weeks and, in Ireland, around a third (32%) happen at term (44). Stillbirths can be registered and full maternity and paternity leave entitlements apply. 

Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before it reaches ‘viability’, under 23 weeks, in Ireland. It can be described as ‘early’ if it occurs before 13 weeks (i.e. in the first trimester), or ‘late’ or ‘second trimester loss’ if it occurs between 13 and 23 weeks. Pregnancy endings under 23 weeks cannot be registered and there are no statutory leave entitlements.

Second trimester loss and stillbirth have similar causes and usually involve labour and birth. Not all miscarriages are the same and people are often unprepared for the physical reality of pregnancy loss (12,45).

References

(12) Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Matvienko-Sikar K, O’Sullivan-Lago R, Dhúbhgáin JU, Lucey C, O'Donoghue K. Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study. 2025;15(4):e094753.

(43) Houses of the Oireachtas. Civil Registration (Electronic Registration) Act 2024 – No. 27 of 2024. Jul 17, 2024. Available from: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2024/26. 

(44) Farrell AM, O’Donoghue K, O’Reilly E, Corcoran P. Comparison of risk, maternal and fetal characteristics of singleton stillbirths in Ireland (2011–2022) by gestational group. BJOG. 2025;132(Suppl. 6):28–9.

(45) Middlemiss AL. Too big, too young, too risky: How diagnosis of the foetal body determines trajectories of care for the pregnant woman in pre-viability second trimester pregnancy loss. Sociology of Health & Illness. 2022;44(1):81–98.