Losing a baby is one of the most devastating experiences a family can go through. If you have experienced a stillbirth, or if you are pregnant and seeking to understand the risks, this page is here to provide clear, honest information alongside some guidance on the support available to you.

In some cases, a stillbirth may have been preventable. Where that is the case, parents have the right to understand what happened and, if appropriate, to seek answers through a medical negligence claim.

What Is a Stillbirth?

A stillbirth is defined as the birth of a baby who has sadly died after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. Babies born before this gestational age who do not survive are classified differently, typically as a miscarriage. A baby born alive but who then passes away is recorded as a neonatal death.

The distinction matters legally and medically and understanding it can help parents navigate the processes that follow, including registration requirements and the support they are entitled to receive.

How Common Is Stillbirth in the UK?

According to the most recent figures collated by Tommy’s, around 1 in 250 babies are stillborn in the UK.

In England, the rate decreased slightly from 3.9 to 3.8 per 1,000 births in 2024, while in Wales it increased from 4.0 to 4.4 per 1,000 births in the same period, according to data from the ONS.

Stillbirth rates in the UK are higher than in many other developed countries.

There is still significant work to be done to reduce the number of stillbirths and a matter of ongoing concern for healthcare professionals, patient safety organisations and researchers alike.

What Causes a Stillbirth?

One of the hardest truths about stillbirth is that in approximately 60 per cent of cases, no clear cause is identified even after thorough investigation. This can be an additional burden for bereaved parents, who are left without the answers they so desperately need.

Where causes are identified, they can include:

Problems with the placenta

The placenta is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients to a baby. Complications with the placenta, including placental insufficiency or abruption, are among the most frequently identified factors in pregnancy loss.

Birth defects

A birth defect or chromosomal abnormality can, in some cases, be incompatible with life. Post-mortem examination and genetic testing can help establish whether this was a factor, though many parents find these decisions understandably difficult to make.

Maternal health conditions

Certain conditions in the mother, including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and other pregnancy-related complications, can increase the risk of stillbirth if they are not identified and managed appropriately. This is one of the areas where healthcare professionals play a particularly important role.

Reduced or absent baby's movements

A change in a baby's movements can sometimes be an early warning sign. Pregnant women are encouraged to contact their midwife or maternity unit promptly if they notice their baby's movements have slowed or stopped, rather than waiting to see if things improve.

Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should always be assessed by a healthcare professional. In some cases it can indicate a serious complication that requires urgent intervention.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Research shows that stillbirth does not affect all pregnancies equally. There are certain factors associated with a higher risk of stillbirth, and understanding these is part of how healthcare providers and families can work together to reduce harm.

Deprivation and socioeconomic factors

Women who live in deprived areas face significantly higher stillbirth risks. The stillbirth rate per 1,000 births in the 10 per cent most deprived areas was 5.0 in England and 6.3 in Wales, compared to 3.7 in England and 3.6 in Wales in the 10 per cent least deprived areas, according to data published by Tommy's. A 2025 University of Bristol study analysing over 1.3 million births across NHS Trusts in England found that the stillbirth rate ranged from 2.9 per 1,000 births for women living in the least deprived areas to 4.7 per 1,000 births for those living in the most deprived areas, representing a relative increase of 62 per cent. This reflects wider inequalities in access to healthcare, antenatal appointments, and social support.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity is a significant factor in UK perinatal deaths data. According to the most recent MBRRACE-UK surveillance report, babies of Black ethnicity remain more than twice as likely to be stillborn than babies of White ethnicity, at 5.84 per 1,000 total births compared with 2.71 per 1,000 total births. Stillbirth rates by ethnicity decreased in 2023 for babies of Black and White ethnicity, but increased by 9.8 per cent for babies of Asian ethnicity compared to 2022. 

Higher proportions of babies of Bangladeshi, Black African, other Black, and Black Caribbean ethnicities come from the most deprived areas, which carries an additional risk of 1.50 stillbirths per 1,000 births. The reasons for these disparities are complex, relating to a combination of socioeconomic factors, access to care, and clinical factors. Understanding these differences is essential for healthcare professionals seeking to reduce inequality in maternity outcomes.

Maternal age

Stillbirth risks are elevated at both ends of the age spectrum. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that women aged 40 and over had a significantly higher risk of stillbirth compared with women younger than 40. Research from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists also notes that women aged 40 years or older have a similar stillbirth risk at 39 weeks of gestation to women in their mid-twenties at 41 weeks of gestation, which informs decisions around induction of labour for older mothers. Gestational age at the time of any identified complication also plays a role in how healthcare professionals respond.

Smoking and recreational drug use

Smoking during pregnancy is the leading modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes, including stillbirth, miscarriage, and preterm birth. A University of Nottingham systematic review and meta-analysis found that smoking mothers faced a 58 per cent increase in the odds of stillbirth compared to non-smoking mothers, confirming a dose-response effect. The same is true for recreational drug use. Women who are pregnant and would like support to stop smoking can speak to their midwife or GP, who can refer them to local cessation services. More than 90 per cent of inpatient and maternity services now deliver smoking cessation services for patients.

Sleep position

The evidence here is now well established. The Midlands and North of England Stillbirth Study (MiNESS), the largest study of its kind, found that women who go to sleep in the supine position (lying flat on your back) have a 2.3-fold increased risk of late stillbirth after 28 weeks' gestation compared with women who go to sleep on their side. As the link has now been shown across six separate research trials, the advice is to go to sleep on your side during the third trimester. The NHS has incorporated this guidance into the Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle. If pregnant women in the UK went to sleep on their side in the third trimester, it is estimated this could prevent around 130 stillbirths a year.

The Role of Antenatal Care

Attending antenatal appointments throughout pregnancy gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to monitor a baby's growth, check the mother's health, and identify complications early. Antenatal appointments are not just routine check-ups; they are an important safety net.

The NHS provides a schedule of recommended appointments, and pregnant women should feel able to contact their midwife between scheduled appointments if they have concerns. No concern is too small.

The 'Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle' is a nationally adopted framework in England that targets modifiable risks in pregnancies. It covers foetal growth monitoring, carbon monoxide screening, foetal movement awareness, and other key areas. The Care Bundle represents the kind of proactive, evidence-based approach that has the potential to reduce stillbirth rates over time.

Stillbirth Rates and Neonatal Death

It is worth understanding the distinction between stillbirth and neonatal death, as the two terms are sometimes used together. A neonatal death is the death of a baby within 28 days of birth. Together, stillbirths and neonatal deaths make up what is known as |”perinatal deaths”.

UK perinatal deaths are tracked annually by MBRRACE-UK, whose nation report provides one of the most detailed pictures available of stillbirth and neonatal outcomes across the four nations. The data tells an important story.

A significant 36 per cent reduction in perinatal mortality has been achieved over the past decade, coinciding with the government's National Maternity Safety Ambition, which aimed to halve the rate of stillbirths, neonatal deaths and brain injuries occurring during or soon after birth. That progress is real, and it reflects the work of healthcare professionals, researchers and patient safety organisations across the country.

Wide ethnic and deprivation inequalities remain in the rates of stillbirth and neonatal mortality. Despite a decrease in stillbirth rates across all ethnic groups, babies of Black ethnicity are still more than twice as likely to be stillborn than babies of White ethnicity. Stillbirth rates for mothers from the most deprived areas, while decreasing slightly, remain much higher than those for babies born to mothers from the least deprived areas.

Congenital anomalies contributed to 17 per cent of perinatal deaths in the most recent reporting period, and the most common causes of stillbirth and neonatal death have remained broadly unchanged year on year.

Infant mortality statistics also reflect the broader impact of perinatal death on child health outcomes, and these inequalities in particular make clear that reducing stillbirth rates is not simply a clinical challenge: it is also a question of fairness in access to care.

What Happens After a Stillbirth?

The period following a stillbirth involves both practical and emotional demands at an extraordinarily difficult time. Here are some of the processes that families should be aware of:

Registration

In England, a stillbirth must be registered within 42 days of the birth. Parents can name their baby in the stillbirth register, which many find to be a meaningful and important step.

Burial or cremation

Following a stillbirth, burial or cremation is a legal requirement. Hospitals can provide guidance on the options available, and many will have a dedicated bereavement midwife or bereavement team to support families through this process.

Post-mortem

Parents will be asked whether they consent to a post-mortem examination, which can help establish a cause of death. This is entirely the parent’s choice. A post-mortem can provide important information, but many parents have complex feelings about the decision, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Mementos and remembrance

Many parents choose to create mementos, such as handprints or footprints, to mark their baby's short life. The Remember My Baby charity offers free remembrance photography for families who have experienced pregnancy loss or baby loss. These photographs can become deeply treasured by many parents in the years that follow.

Parental bereavement pay

Parents are entitled to statutory parental bereavement pay following a stillbirth, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Employers must also provide at least two weeks' statutory bereavement leave.

How Can I Reduce My Worry About Stillbirth?

It is entirely natural to worry during pregnancy, especially after a previous pregnancy loss or neonatal death. Some practical steps that can help include:

• Attending all antenatal appointments and raising any concerns, however small, with your midwife or doctor
• Being aware of your baby's movements and contacting your maternity unit if you notice a change
• Avoiding smoking and recreational drugs during pregnancy
• Discussing your individual risk factors with a healthcare professional, especially if you have existing health conditions

If worry is significantly affecting your mental health during pregnancy, please do speak to your GP or midwife. Support is available, and looking after your mental health is an important part of looking after yourself and your baby.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

Many parents find it helpful to go into antenatal appointments with questions prepared. You might want to ask:

• Are there any risk factors in my pregnancy that should be monitored more closely?
• What should I do if I notice a change in my baby's movements?
• Are there any tests or screening options that might be relevant for me?
• What support is available if I am feeling anxious about my pregnancy?

Could a Stillbirth Have Been Prevented?

This is a question that many bereaved parents find themselves asking, and it is one they have every right to ask.

Not every stillbirth is preventable. However, there are circumstances in which a stillbirth may have resulted from a failure in medical care: a missed or delayed diagnosis, a failure to act on warning signs, inadequate monitoring during pregnancy, or a failure to refer for specialist care in time. These are serious matters, and they can form the basis of a medical negligence claim.

Some examples of situations that may warrant further investigation include:

• Concerns about a baby's growth or movements that were not acted upon
• Warning signs, including vaginal bleeding or reduced movements, that were dismissed or not properly assessed
• Delays in carrying out necessary tests
• Mismanagement of a known complication during pregnancy

It is important to note that raising questions about care does not mean you are making accusations or that a legal claim is inevitable. Many families simply want to understand what happened. An independent review of the care provided can sometimes provide that clarity.

Our clinical negligence team approaches these cases with great sensitivity. We understand that this is not a decision anyone takes lightly, and we will take the time to listen properly before advising on whether there are grounds to pursue a claim.

Support Resources for Bereaved Parents

If you have experienced a stillbirth or pregnancy loss and need to talk to someone, please reach out to one of the following organisations:

• Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
• Tommy's
• Cruse Bereavement Care