Abstract

Stillbirth occurs in every 3.5 of 1000 pregnancies in Ireland and is a devastating event for a family. Women who have a pregnancy after stillbirth require increased antenatal support. This study aimed to determine maternal and fetal outcomes and to quantify health service utilization in pregnancy after stillbirth. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all pregnancies after stillbirth from 2011 to 2017 in a large tertiary referral university maternity teaching hospital with approximately 8000 births annually. There were 222 stillbirths from 2011 to 2017. Two-thirds of women had a pregnancy after stillbirth. Almost one-fifth of these women had a miscarriage, but 16 of these women had a subsequent live birth, giving an overall live birth rate of 90%. The average numbers of antenatal appointments and ultrasound scans were higher than expected, as were rates of induction of labour, caesarean delivery, and preterm delivery. Pregnancy after stillbirth was associated with increased surveillance and intervention. Decision-making for intervention was often based on previous history of stillbirth. Clinicians should be conscious of additional supports required for this population and focus on evidence-based interventions that improve maternal well-being and perinatal outcomes in pregnancy after stillbirth.