Myth: Only women with ‘high-risk’ pregnancies are at risk of stillbirth

Stillbirth can happen in any pregnancy, even seemingly ‘healthy’ pregnancies. Stillbirth isn't openly discussed due to concerns it might cause anxiety for pregnant people (15,23).

Over a 12-year period in Ireland, the average age of women who had a stillbirth was 31.7 years, fewer than a quarter smoked, or had a BMI over 30. Half of the babies who died were average-sized, indicating even healthy babies are at risk (44).

A common misconception is that stillbirths are primarily due to issues with medical care, the baby or mother (70). However, the most common cause of stillbirth is a problem with the placenta (46). Unfortunately, placental issues can affect any pregnancy but are currently difficult to detect (71).

References

(15) Pollock D, Pearson E, Cooper M, Ziaian T, Foord C, Warland J. Voices of the unheard: A qualitative survey exploring bereaved parents experiences of stillbirth stigma. Women and Birth. 2020;33(2):165–74. 

(23) Escañuela Sánchez T, Matvienko-Sikar K, Meaney S, O’Donoghue K. Exploring first-time mothers’ experiences and knowledge about behavioural risk factors for stillbirth. Health Expectations. 2023;26(1):329–42. 

(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.

(46) San Lazaro Campillo I, Manning E, Corcoran P, Keane J, McKernan J, Greene RA, et al. Perinatal Mortality National Clinical Audit in Ireland Annual Report 2022. Cork: National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre; 2024. Available from: https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/training-2024/trainingacademia190/PerinatalMortalityFormReport2022-3526AW.pdf.

(70) Nuzum D, Meaney S, O’Donoghue K. The public awareness of stillbirth: an Irish population study. BJOG. 2018;125(2):246–52.

(71) Flenady V, Wojcieszek AM, Middleton P, Ellwood D, Erwich JJ, Coory M, et al. Stillbirths: recall to action in high-income countries. The Lancet. 2016;387(10019):691–702.