Time and cause of stillbirth
The estimated median gestational age of stillbirth was 34 weeks (range 20 to 43 weeks, IQR 9), with 80% occurring in the third trimester (n=114/142). The majority (62%, n=88/142) of stillbirths were preterm (<37 completed week gestation), 16% were <28 weeks completed gestation and 4% were >41 completed weeks gestation.
Of the 198 stillbirths with a recorded cause of death, 170 occurred antenatally (86%) and 28 (14%) were intrapartum (Table 2). 42% of stillbirths were macerated and 31% were fresh, however appearance of the fetus at delivery was not documented in 26% of cases. Table 3. demonstrates the primary cause of death associated with maternal conditions, such as maternal complications of pregnancy, labour and delivery. There were 12 cases (6%) of congenital malformations, with the majority being hydrocephalus and one fetus showing signs of Trisomy 21.