Updated January 01, 2014.

Definition:

A pregnancy loss after the 20th week in which the baby passes away before birth. (A loss before the 20th week is a miscarriage.)

Stillbirths have any number of causes, including chromosomal abnormalities and various medical conditions in the mother. Doctors cannot always find a cause for stillbirths. Normally, stillbirths are one-time occurrences and do not recur in subsequent pregnancies.

Also Known As: Fetal demise