Stillbirth is Not the Mother’s Fault

Watching a video that helps explain the function of the placenta and how its failure can cause a stillbirth will reduce the guilt feeling of mothers.

A tool is created by researchers and artists from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and the University of Newcastle to help women who have experienced stillbirth.

Data from the US indicates that 83% of mothers who have experienced perinatal loss including stillbirth experience guilt, linked to depression. Experiencing a stillbirth also increases the risk of relationship breakdown by 40%.

Stillbirth Causes Diagnosis Prevention
The term stillbirth is used when fetal death occurs after twenty weeks of pregnancy. A change in fetal movement could provide indications of fetal distress or even death.

‘A new video seeks to address the feelings of guilt often experienced by mothers after stillbirth.’

“With more than 2,100 pregnancies ending in stillbirth each year in Australia, the video is critical in helping mums understand that stillbirth is not their fault,” Professor Smith said.

The tool arrived following the discovery the team made in 2019, identifying that unexplained stillbirth is often the result of ‘aging of the placenta’. This aging process is complex and not affected by the behavior of the mother.

People are not aware that the placenta is an organ of the baby, not the mother. As such, the mother has very little, to no control over that organ. She can’t prevent aging from happening.

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Study finds that mild hypothyroidism should be treated with hormone drug replacement to lower risk of still birth, low birth weight and early c-section.

The video, ‘We are all born of the stars,’ and the accompanying article has been published in the prestigious American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

While scientists generally work with journals to communicate research with doctors and other researchers, this video has been primarily created to communicate directly with the patients themselves.

Stillbirth Becomes a Major Concern Due to Alarming Rise
Stillbirth rates continue to increase around the world though it can be prevented by better monitoring and treatment methods for pregnant women.

Anger, shame, and guilt are emotions experienced by many parents who have experienced a stillbirth. Whilst these feelings are perfectly normal, they are challenging for parents to navigate.

The scientists at HMRI are continuing to develop blood tests to identify the presence of an aging placenta that will allow delivery of the baby before the baby dies.

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Omega-3 fatty acids containing foods such as fish oil or supplements can prevent preterm birth, stillbirth or neonatal death associated with uterus infection caused by a bacterium normally found in the mouth.

They are also working on drugs to help slow the aging of the placenta and hopefully prevent stillbirth.

Source-Medindia

Stillbirth is Not the Mother’s Fault – Here’s Why

Watching a video that helps explain the function of the placenta and how its failure can cause a stillbirth will reduce the guilt feeling of mothers.