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24-07-24
Preventing Stillbirth: Tips And Strategies
By Dr. Pankhuri Gautam, Experienced Gynecologist
How can you safeguard your pregnancy and decrease the risk of stillbirth? Stillbirth, defined as the heartbreaking occurrence of a baby born with no signs of life at or after 20 weeks, is a critical issue that requires proactive measures.
Regular prenatal care and monitoring your baby’s movements are essential first steps. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet and managing stress, plays a significant role. It’s also advisable to sleep on your side and reduce exposure to infections for better outcomes.
Strategies include comprehensive prenatal check-ups, consistent foetal movement recording, adopting safe sleeping positions, implementing robust infection prevention measures, and focusing on long-term stress management. Continuous education about these practices is crucial.
Are you expecting a baby or planning for a baby? If yes, then you just read this blog till the end. In this blog, Dr Pankhuri Gautam, an expert gynaecologist in Jaipur, provides detailed tips and strategies to prevent stillbirth and promote a safe, happy, healthy pregnancy.
Let’s dive into the details to learn more.
Tips for Preventing Stillbirth
This section provides actionable advice for expectant mothers to reduce the risk of stillbirth. Each tip focuses on practical steps that promote maternal health and the baby's well-being during pregnancy.
1. Regular Prenatal Care
Regular prenatal check-ups are vital as they allow healthcare providers to monitor the mother and baby's health closely, identifying and addressing potential issues early.
Tips:
- Schedule and attend all prenatal appointments as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Discuss any concerns or changes in your health with your healthcare team promptly.
- Follow your healthcare provider's advice regarding necessary screenings and tests.
2. Monitor Baby’s Movements
Tracking foetal movements helps expectant mothers become familiar with their baby's standard activity patterns. Changes in movement can indicate potential problems, prompting timely medical intervention.
Tips:
- Begin monitoring foetal movements daily from around 28 weeks of pregnancy.
- Choose a consistent time each day when your baby is typically active to track movements.
- Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice a decrease or significant change in your baby's movements.
3. Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle supports overall well-being during pregnancy, reducing the risk of complications that could contribute to stillbirth.
Tips:
- Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit drugs throughout pregnancy.
- Eat a balanced diet of essential nutrients, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Stay physically active with exercises approved by your healthcare provider.
4. Balanced Diet
Proper nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for the baby's growth and development, reducing the likelihood of complications that could lead to stillbirth.
Tips:
- Include a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure you and your baby receive essential nutrients.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Discuss any dietary concerns or restrictions with your healthcare provider.
5. Sleep on Your Side
Sleeping on your side, particularly the left side, improves blood flow to the uterus and placenta, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the baby.
Tips:
- Use pillows to support your abdomen and hips for added comfort while sleeping on your side.
- Don't worry if you wake up on your back; roll back onto your side before falling asleep again.
- Consider a pregnancy or body pillow to help maintain a side-sleeping position.
6. Avoid Exposure to Infections
Certain infections during pregnancy can pose risks to both the mother and baby, increasing the likelihood of complications, including stillbirth.
Tips:
- Practise good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after being in public places.
- Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick or have contagious illnesses.
- Stay up-to-date on vaccinations recommended for pregnant women, such as flu and whooping cough vaccines.
7. Manage Stress and Mental Health
High levels of stress and untreated mental health conditions can impact pregnancy outcomes, potentially increasing the risk of complications like stillbirth.
Tips:
- To manage stress levels, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or prenatal yoga.
- Engage in activities that bring you joy and help you unwind, such as reading, spending time outdoors, or listening to calming music.
- Seek support from loved ones, a counsellor, or support groups if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious during pregnancy.
Strategies for Preventing Stillbirth
In this section, we'll delve into practical strategies that expectant mothers can implement to reduce the risk of stillbirth further. These strategies focus on comprehensive health management and proactive measures throughout pregnancy.
1. Comprehensive Prenatal Care
Maintaining consistent and comprehensive prenatal care is crucial throughout pregnancy. Regular and thorough check-ups enable healthcare providers to monitor the mother's health, detect any potential issues early, and provide appropriate interventions.
- During these appointments, your provider will conduct routine checks such as measuring blood pressure, weight gain, and fetal growth through ultrasounds and screening for potential complications through blood tests or other diagnostic procedures.
- Follow your healthcare provider's dietary, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations tailored to your health and pregnancy needs. These include essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamins, often supplemented with prenatal vitamins.
2. Foetal Movement Monitoring
Regular monitoring helps expectant mothers become familiar with their baby’s activity patterns, facilitating early detection of any changes that may indicate foetal distress. So, Developing a habit of monitoring foetal movements daily.
- Each baby has its own pattern of movement. Initially, movements might feel like fluttering or light taps, later progressing to stronger kicks and rolls as the baby grows. Understanding what is normal for your baby helps you notice any changes.
- Promptly inform your healthcare provider if you notice reduced movements or unusual patterns. They may ask you to come in for an assessment to ensure the baby is healthy and address any concerns.
3. Safe Sleeping Habits
Developing and maintaining safe sleeping practices, especially side sleeping, is crucial during pregnancy. Sleeping on your side, particularly the left side, enhances blood flow to the uterus and baby, reducing the risk of complications. This position improves circulation, ensuring adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the baby.
Adopting safe sleeping habits can significantly lower the risk of complications such as stillbirth, preeclampsia, and poor foetal growth. These habits contribute to overall maternal well-being and ensure optimal conditions for foetal development throughout pregnancy.
4. Infection Prevention Measures
Implementing and maintaining infection prevention practices is vital during pregnancy. Preventing infections significantly reduces the risk of complications that could impact pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth.
Here are proactive measures to help create a healthier environment:
- Maintaining good hand hygiene during pregnancy is essential to prevent the transmission of pathogens that could harm the mother and the developing baby.
- By receiving vaccines recommended by healthcare providers, pregnant women enhance their immune defences and safeguard their pregnancy from potential infection-related complications.
5. Long-Term Stress Management
Developing a long-term plan for managing stress and maintaining mental health is essential during pregnancy. Chronic stress and untreated mental health conditions can significantly impact pregnancy outcomes, underscoring the importance of proactive stress management.
This proactive approach helps reduce the potential adverse effects of stress on both maternal and foetal health:
- Mindfulness exercises, yoga, and relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation can reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and promote a sense of calm.
- A mental health professional or counsellor can help identify stress triggers, provide strategies for managing anxiety or depression, and offer coping mechanisms specific to pregnancy-related stressors.
6. Continuous Education and Awareness
Expectant mothers must stay informed about pregnancy health and potential risks. Knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions and recognise signs of possible complications early, enhancing proactive management of their health and baby.
This approach gives confidence and readiness to address any challenges that may arise:
- Stay updated with reliable sources on pregnancy health and attend prenatal education classes.
- Learn about common symptoms needing medical attention during pregnancy.
- Communicate any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider for accurate guidance.
Conclusion
Proactive health management during pregnancy is crucial in reducing the risk of stillbirth. Expectant mothers can enhance their chances of a healthy pregnancy outcome by following the suggested practical tips and strategies.
I, Dr Pankhuri Gautam, an obstetrician specialising in maternal and foetal health, emphasise personalised care and expert guidance for expectant mothers with a commitment to excellence and compassionate support. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure a healthy pregnancy journey with personalised care and expert guidance.