Thread by @WHO

According to 🆕 estimates, almost 2 million babies are stillborn every year – or 1 #stillbirth every 16 seconds.

#COVID19 related health service disruptions could worsen the situation, potentially adding 200,000 more stillbirths over a 12-month period:
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A #stillbirth is defined as a baby born with no signs of life at 28 weeks of pregnancy or more.

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84% of stillbirths, occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries. In 2019, 3 in 4 stillbirths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa or Southern Asia.

#stillbirth

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#Stillbirth occurs in every country, not just low- and middle-income countries, and disparities continue to exist among vulnerable groups in high-income countries.

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A #stillbirth is often due to poor quality of care during pregnancy and birth. Lack of investments in antenatal and intrapartum services and in strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce are 🔑 challenges

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Over 40% of stillbirths occur during labour. A #stillbirth could be avoided with access to a trained health worker at childbirth and timely emergency obstetric care.

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Despite advances in health services to prevent or treat causes of child death, progress in lowering the #stillbirth rate has been slow. From 2000 to 2019, the annual rate of ↘️ in the stillbirth rate was just 2.3%.

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After a #stillbirth, healthcare staff should:
🧸 show sensitivity and empathy
🧸 acknowledge how the parents feel
🧸 provide clear information
🧸 understand that the parents may need specific support both in dealing with their loss and in potentially trying to have another baby