Myth: Stillbirth is very rare nowadays

Stillbirth is a tragic public health issue that affects about 200 families in Ireland each year (46). To appreciate the scale of this issue, this is the equivalent to losing nine full junior infants classes every year and is higher than the number of people who die on Irish roads (68).

While successful public health campaigns have been effective in reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths from 150 to fewer than 20 annually (69), stillbirth remains a hidden issue, and expectant parents are often unaware of the risks or preventative measures they can take (70).

The lack of awareness and open discussion contributes to the misconception that stillbirth is a rare event when, in fact, it is a devastating reality for many families.

References

(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. 

(68) Road Safety Authority. Provisional Review of Fatalities: 1 January to 31 December 2024. 2025. Available from: https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/road-traffic-collision-data.  

(69) McGarvey C, Barrett M, Healy M, Ramsbottom N, Kelly F, Connolly A, et al. National Paediatric Mortality Register Annual Report 2025: Data from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2023. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; 2025. Available from: https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/report/National_Paediatric_Mortality_Register_annual_report_2025_data_from_1st_January_2019_to_31st_December_2023/28389206/1. 

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