It is important to remember that most pregnancies are free of problems. In the UK, rates of stillbirth have declined dramatically in previous decades due to huge improvements in maternity care. The vast majority of babies are born alive and healthy.

However the reality is that a small proportion of pregnancies do end in stillbirth. Mothers who have experienced this loss often say they had no idea that babies do sometimes die and wish they had known it was a possibility. They might have acted differently if they had known there was any risk.

We think it is important that mothers should have access to information if they want it. This includes what information there is about the causes of stillbirth, and an awareness of possible warning signs if something is not right.

We offer the following advice, but stress that if you have any concerns at all you should immediately talk to your GP or midwives. Don't ever feel you should not bother them.

Stop smoking

Smoking cigarettes in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of stillbirth. If you smoke while you are pregnant your baby's growth and development are affected, and problems with your baby's health and wellbeing are much more likely. If you smoke YOU SHOULD STOP, and the people you live with should also not smoke.

Ideally you should stop smoking before you become pregnant, but if you are part way through your pregnancy it is still worth giving up smoking. It is never too late to stop. For more information click here »

Go to all your antenatal appointments

It is important to keep in regular contact with your midwives and doctor and go to all the antenatal check-ups. They will monitor the progress of your pregnancy and if there are problems they can make sure you get the care you need.

Urine and blood tests, along with regular blood pressure monitoring and ultrasound scans can pick up early signs of medical conditions which might affect your baby.

Regular measurement of your baby's growth can tell your midwife (and you) about your baby's progress. Poor growth can indicate problems and it is important this is picked up. A baby not growing well is at risk of stillbirth. For more information on fetal growth click here.

Be aware of your baby's movements

Movements are a good indicator of your baby's wellbeing.  Every baby behaves differently and some are very active, some less so. Try to spend time each day becoming aware of your baby's own movement patterns. The important thing is to notice any change in pattern, in particular if you feel the baby is less active than normal. For more information about monitoring movements click here »

If you feel your baby is moving less than normal, call your midwife or materntiy unit. Don't wait for your next appointment.

Report any abdominal pain or bleeding

If you have pain or tenderness in your abdominal area you should contact your doctor or midwife. Acute pain or vaginal bleeding should be reported immediately. It is better to report any pain that worries you sooner rather than later. 

Avoid infection

Some infections increase the risk of stillbirth, in particular listeria, salmonella, and toxoplasmosis. There are simple things you can do to reduce the chances of being exposed to these infections. Ask for information from your midwife about what foods and activities to avoid during pregnancy.