Posted: 31st October, 2024
Issue 23: Baby Loss and Bereavement
Sadly, some people will suffer a pregnancy loss, through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or termination due to foetal anomaly.
If your pregnancy ends in this way, you will need both information and support. Talk to the people close to you about how you feel, and to your midwife, doctor or health visitor about what's happened and why.
Bereavement support: 0808 802 6868
Sometimes, it is easier to talk to someone outside your family and friends.
There are lots of organisations offering information and support, including The Lullaby Trust, Bliss, Miscarriage Association and Sands, who support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
Losing a baby
A stillbirth is when a baby is born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. It happens in around 1 in every 250 births in England.
Contact your midwife or doctor straight away if you’re pregnant and worried about your baby – for example if you’ve noticed your baby moving less than usual. Don’t wait until the next day. If your baby is moving less, it can be a sign that something’s wrong and needs to be checked out.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is when a pregnancy is lost before 24 weeks. They are very common.
Many early miscarriages (before 12 weeks) happen because there is something wrong with the baby. A later miscarriage may be due to an infection, problems in the placenta, or the cervix being weak and opening too early in the pregnancy.
The most common sign of miscarriage is vaginal bleeding.
A miscarriage can start like a period, with spotting or bleeding. If you have vaginal bleeding, contact your GP or maternity team as soon as possible.
Other symptoms of a miscarriage include:
- cramping and pain in your lower tummy
- a discharge of fluid from your vagina
- a discharge of tissue from your vagina
- no longer experiencing the symptoms of pregnancy, such as feeling sick and breast tenderness
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.
The warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy can start soon after a missed period, but occasionally there are no noticeable symptoms.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to save the pregnancy. It usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation.
In the UK, around 1 in every 90 pregnancies is ectopic. This is around 11,000 pregnancies a year.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy
If you do have symptoms, they tend to develop between the 4th and 12th week of pregnancy.
Symptoms can include a combination of:
- a missed period and other signs of pregnancy
- tummy pain low down on one side
- vaginal bleeding or a brown watery discharge
- pain in the tip of your shoulder
- discomfort when peeing or pooing
But these symptoms aren’t necessarily a sign of a serious problem. They can sometimes be caused by other problems, such as a stomach bug.
Termination for foetal anomaly
In some pregnancies, screening tests may find a serious health condition in the baby.
If tests show your baby has a serious condition (an anomaly), find out as much as you can from your doctor about the condition and how it might affect your baby.
Hearing the diagnosis can be very shocking, and you may find it hard to take in.
You may be offered a termination (abortion) to end the pregnancy.
Some couples wish to continue with the pregnancy and prepare for the needs of their newborn baby, while others decide to terminate the pregnancy.
Request a baby loss certificate
You can get a certificate in memory of your baby if your pregnancy ends before 24 weeks. It’s free, but optional, you do not need to request one if you prefer not to.