The loss of a child is one of the most heart breaking and devastating experiences a family will ever go through.
If a baby is stillborn or dies during or just after birth, this may lead to a significant psychiatric injury, particularly if there is concern that the loss could have been avoided.
Stillbirth
In the UK in 2020, around 1 in every 260 births was recorded as a stillbirth. This figure sadly increased from 2020 to 2021 with 2,628 babies reported as stillborn during 2021, an increase of 199 from 2020 when there were 2,429 reported stillbirths.
This means that around eight babies stillborn every day, with around one-third of stillbirths happening after 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Stillbirths account for more than half of the deaths in babies, many of which could have been avoided.
Neonatal death
In the UK in 2020, 1,895 babies died within the four weeks of life. That’s one baby in every 360 births.
The number of babies who die in the neonatal period, (the first 28 days after birth) has dropped over the last decade, largely because of advances in medical knowledge and clinical care. However, recently the mortality rate has plateaued.
When a sudden loss happens, families understandably want to know why their child died and whether the death was preventable.
Common causes of baby loss
Common causes of stillbirth and neonatal death can include:
- premature birth (babies that are born too soon or too small are more at risk of infection or other serious health problems)
- complications during or after the birth
- infections
- congenital anomaly, such as heart or lung problems
- bleeding (haemorrhage) before or during labour
- placental abruption, when the placenta separates from the womb before the baby is born,
- complications of pre-eclampsia, which is linked with the placenta and causes high blood pressure,
- the umbilical cord slipping down through the entrance of the womb before the baby is born (known as cord prolapse) or wrapping around the baby’s neck,
- a liver disorder called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
How we can help
While no amount of compensation can make up for losing a child, making a stillbirth and neonatal death claim can often provide much-needed answers for families to help them recover from the grief and trauma they are experiencing.
Our specialist team have many years of experience helping families who have suffered a poor standard of care during pregnancy or childbirth resulting in the loss of a child.
We can help support and guide you through a medical negligence claim with sensitivity, professionalism, and empathy and can signpost you for any additional help following the loss of a baby.
Find out how we can help you
We're ready to help you make your medical negligence compensation claim today. Contact our specialist solicitors for a free initial chat about your situation and find out how you can get started. Use our online enquiry form or call our specialist team on 01392 937 278.