---
title: "Stillbirth and losing a baby later in pregnancy"
description: "When a baby dies later in pregnancy: the birth, time with your baby, tests, your body afterwards, paperwork, grief and where to find support."
url: "https://myruva.co/learn/stillbirth-and-later-pregnancy-loss"
language: "en-GB"
topic: "Pregnancy"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-10-21"
author: "Ruva team"
reading_minutes: 8
---

# Stillbirth and losing a baby later in pregnancy

When a baby dies later in pregnancy: the birth, time with your baby, tests, your body afterwards, paperwork, grief and where to find support.

*Written and reviewed by the Ruva team · Updated 2026-10-21 · Pregnancy*

## Key points

- The words differ by country. The NHS uses stillbirth from 24 completed weeks, ACOG in the US from 20 weeks, and WHO from 28 weeks for international figures.
- The decisions about the birth, seeing your baby and tests are yours, and there's no right or wrong way to respond.
- Tests and a post-mortem can sometimes find a cause. For others, no cause is found.
- Milk can come in after a stillbirth. Your doctor or midwife can talk through your options.
- Grief can be different for each parent, and support is there for both of you.

If your baby has died later in pregnancy, this page covers what usually happens next and the choices you'll be offered.

## What the words mean where you live

| Where | Called a stillbirth |
|---|---|
| UK (NHS) | A baby born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy |
| US (ACOG) | A baby who dies in the uterus after 20 weeks of pregnancy |
| WHO, for international figures | A baby who dies after 28 weeks of pregnancy, before or during birth |

In the UK, a baby who dies before 24 completed weeks is described as a miscarriage or late foetal loss. In England, stillbirth happens in around 1 in every 250 births.

## Finding out

If the team thinks your baby may have died, a midwife or doctor may listen for the heartbeat first, then offer an ultrasound scan. The death is confirmed by scan, usually by a second person as well, and you can ask for another scan at any time.

Some parents still feel movement afterwards. RCOG explains this is the baby shifting in the fluid in the womb. If you're alone in hospital, ask staff to contact someone close to you to come in.

## Choosing when and how to give birth

If there's no medical reason for your baby to be born straight away, the decision doesn't usually need to be made at once, and you may be able to go home for a day or two first. The NHS says you'll usually be offered medicine to start labour, which is safer for you than a caesarean. Vaginal birth is usually recommended, but the decision is yours, and you'll be offered pain relief.

Some people wait for labour to start on its own. RCOG says most women go into labour naturally within 3 weeks of their baby dying. Regular blood tests are needed after 48 hours, and RCOG advises a hospital check-up twice a week if you wait longer than that.

Waiting longer affects how your baby looks at birth, and can make it harder for tests to find out why. It isn't advised if you have pre-eclampsia, blood clotting problems or an infection.

While you wait, you'll have a 24-hour contact number. Call your maternity unit if your waters break, you think labour is starting, you bleed, your discharge changes or you feel unwell in any way. Call 999 if you're bleeding heavily, have severe tummy pain or feel faint or dizzy.

ACOG (US) says that in the second trimester a procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) can be considered, with induction an option later on. The choice depends on your health and stage of pregnancy, and what's offered differs between countries and hospitals, so ask your team.

## Time with your baby

Many parents want to see and hold their baby, and it's entirely up to you. You can see your baby straight away, later on, or not at all. You can spend as long as you want with them, name them and dress them in their own clothes.

With your permission, the team can take photographs, hand and footprints and a lock of hair. If you're not ready to take these home, they can be kept with your hospital records until you want them. In some circumstances your baby may be able to come home with you, and the bereavement team can talk this through.

Decisions about what to do after a stillbirth are very personal, and there's no right or wrong way to respond.

## Tests and the post-mortem

You'll be offered tests to look for a cause, and you don't have to have them. They can include blood tests for you, an examination of the placenta and cord, tests for infection, a thyroid test and genetic tests, usually on a small sample of the cord.

A post-mortem is a fuller examination of your baby. It can't go ahead without your written consent, and it can be as limited or detailed as you wish. ACOG, using the US word autopsy, lists it with an evaluation of the placenta and genetic testing as the most useful tests. Some tests may delay funeral arrangements, so ask about timing.

A cause is found in up to two-thirds of stillbirths, according to RCOG. The NHS describes causes linked to the placenta, a birth defect or the mother's health. For others, no cause is found.

You'll be offered a follow-up appointment to go through the results, which can take several months after a post-mortem.

## Your body in the weeks after

Your body may start making milk, which can be uncomfortable and upsetting. Medicines can stop milk being made, but the NHS says they're not suitable if you have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure or postpartum psychosis. Some people prefer to let their supply dry up without medicine, and your doctor or midwife can go through the options. Ice packs, breast support and pain relief can ease the discomfort.

You'll have some bleeding and pain, which should settle within several weeks, and your midwife will offer home visits to check your recovery. Contact your GP or hospital if your bleeding gets heavier, tummy pain doesn't settle, you have smelly discharge, feel unwell or shivery, have pain or swelling in your legs, are short of breath or cough up blood. Sudden or very heavy bleeding needs your midwife or GP straight away. If you suddenly find it hard to breathe or have pain in your chest or upper back, call 999.

## Registering your baby and time off work

In the UK, a stillborn baby has to be registered by law: within 42 days in England and Wales, within 21 days in Scotland, and within 1 year in Northern Ireland. You can name your baby in the register. A bereavement midwife or support officer can help with paperwork and explain your choices about a funeral.

After a stillbirth, employed parents are normally entitled to maternity or paternity pay and leave, and to parental bereavement pay and leave. Maternity Allowance may apply if you can't get Statutory Maternity Pay. You may be asked for evidence such as a certificate of stillbirth. Child Benefit can't be claimed.

Parental bereavement leave covers a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Rules differ in Northern Ireland for bereavements on or after 6 April 2026, so check GOV.UK or ask your employer.

## Grief, for you and anyone close to you

A stillbirth can be emotionally traumatic for both parents and for the wider family. Many people feel guilt or anxiety, and some go through depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Each parent grieves in a different way, and grief may last weeks, months, or years.

Your GP, community midwife or health visitor can talk with you and arrange counselling. Talking with other parents who've lost a baby helps some people. In the UK, Sands runs a confidential helpline on 0808 164 3332. Tommy's midwives' helpline, on 0800 0147 800, supports people after stillbirth and after termination for medical reasons. In the US, ACOG lists groups such as SHARE: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, and your ob-gyn can suggest local support.

Postpartum psychosis is a serious illness that affects around 1 in 1,000 mothers after giving birth, usually starting suddenly within the first 2 weeks. Signs can include seeing or hearing things that aren't there, feeling very "high" or overactive, low mood or feeling very confused. The NHS treats it as a medical emergency: see a GP immediately for a same-day assessment, or call 111 if you can't reach one, and call 999 if anyone may be in danger. People who are ill may not realise it, so a partner, family or friends may spot the signs.

If you're struggling to cope, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (England), ring Samaritans on 116 123 (UK), or call or text 988 (US). If you don't feel you can keep yourself safe, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US), or your local emergency number.

## Thinking about another pregnancy

There's no timetable for this, and some people decide not to. ACOG says that if the cause isn't known and you don't have a medical condition, the chance of stillbirth happening again is very low. If you do become pregnant again, RCOG says you'll be offered specialist care, with extra antenatal visits and scans. Your own chance, and your plan of care, depend on what the tests found, so ask at your follow-up appointment.

## For a future pregnancy: lowering the risk

This is for later, if it's ever useful. It isn't an explanation of what happened, and the NHS is clear that not all stillbirths can be prevented.

- After 28 weeks, go to sleep on your side rather than your back. If you wake up on your back, just turn onto your side.
- If your baby is moving less than usual, contact your midwife or doctor straight away. Don't wait until the next day.
- Not smoking, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and going to all your antenatal appointments all help lower the risk.

## When to get help

- **Emergency:** Call 999 now (UK) or 911 (US), or your local emergency number, if you suddenly find it hard to breathe or have pain in your chest or upper back; if you're waiting for labour and are bleeding heavily, have severe tummy pain or feel faint or dizzy; if you don't feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe; or if a life is at risk.
- **Same day:** Contact your maternity unit now (UK), your hospital or obstetric clinician (US), or your local maternity service, if you're waiting for labour to start and your waters break, you think labour is starting, you have vaginal bleeding or a change in discharge, or you feel unwell in any way.
- **Same day:** Contact your midwife, GP or hospital straight away (UK), your doctor or hospital (US), or your local health service, if after the birth you have sudden or very heavy bleeding, your bleeding gets heavier, tummy pain doesn't settle, you have smelly discharge, feel unwell or shivery, have pain or swelling in your legs, are short of breath or cough up blood.
- **Same day:** See a GP immediately and ask for a same-day assessment, or call NHS 111 if you can't reach one (UK), or contact your doctor (US) or local health service, if in the weeks after the birth you or people close to you notice sudden changes such as feeling very confused, seeing or hearing things that aren't there, or feeling very high. For other urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option or ask for an urgent GP appointment (England), call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK), call or text 988 (US), or contact your local crisis service.
- **Book an appointment:** Talk to your GP, community midwife or health visitor (UK), your ob-gyn (US), or your doctor or midwife elsewhere if grief, guilt or anxiety is weighing on you, or if you'd like counselling.

## Where you live

Services and advice differ between countries.

- **UK:** The NHS describes a stillbirth as a baby born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. Before that, it's called a miscarriage or late foetal loss. A stillbirth must be registered: within 42 days in England and Wales, 21 days in Scotland and 1 year in Northern Ireland. Employed parents are normally entitled to maternity or paternity pay and leave, and parental bereavement pay and leave. Parental bereavement leave covers a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, and eligibility rules differ for people employed in Northern Ireland if the bereavement was on or after 6 April 2026, so check GOV.UK or ask your employer.
- **US:** ACOG calls the death of a baby in the uterus after 20 weeks of pregnancy a stillbirth. ACOG says that in the second trimester a procedure called dilation and evacuation (D&E) can be considered, with induction an option later on. What's offered differs between countries and hospitals, so ask your team. Ask the hospital team about certificates and paperwork, and ask your employer about leave.
- **Elsewhere:** WHO classifies a baby who dies after 28 weeks of pregnancy, but before or during birth, as a stillbirth, so international figures use a later cut-off. The words, paperwork and leave differ between countries, so ask your maternity team what applies where you live.

## Sources

1. [Stillbirth](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/), NHS
2. [Stillbirth: What happens if your unborn baby dies](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stillbirth/what-happens/), NHS
3. [When your baby dies before birth](https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/when-your-baby-dies-before-birth/), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
4. [Stillbirth](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/stillbirth), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
5. [Register a stillbirth](https://www.gov.uk/register-stillbirth), GOV.UK
6. [Where to get urgent help for mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/), NHS
7. [Pulmonary embolism](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/), NHS
8. [Postpartum psychosis](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-partum-psychosis/), NHS

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This guide is general information to help you keep and use your own records. It isn’t medical advice. If you’re worried about a symptom, or something changes suddenly, talk to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.