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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

If you had a stillborn did you have a post-mortem?

21 replies

andanotherproblem · 19/09/2025 18:02

I’ve just delivered my stillborn, the chord was wrapped around her neck three times very tight, I’m wondering if this would have been the cause of death or happened on delivery, I know nobody can give me answers except a post mortem, I’m just looking for any similar stories I guess

OP posts:
MrsLizzieDarcy · 19/09/2025 18:21

We had a post mortem on my son - he was delivered at 26 weeks. They didn't find any cause of death - the placenta was healthy, but they did find that he had toes of all different sizes, and that he had grown "out of proportion" ie he was nearly 50cm long but only just under 2lbs. They also did some genetic tests etc but these all came back "normal". I think time has given me the perspective that something was clearly wrong.

It didn't give me the answers but I remember the midwife asking us which would be easier to live with - never knowing, or having the chance of knowing. So we went for the chance and I've never regretted it oddly enough. Look after yourself Flowers and I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Bahhhhhumbug · 19/09/2025 18:22

Ah no ,how very tragic, so sad for you and your little girl. I don't know the answer but l think you absolutely should have one or you will always wonder and have a right to know. Wishing you strength at this terrible time xx

Montereyjaaack · 19/09/2025 18:23

I’m so so sorry for your loss OP. I hope you have a lot of love, kindness and support in your life to help you through.
I had a stillborn baby - I elected not to have a post-mortem- I knew I’d had a massive placental abruption, which is why she died. I was concerned as to why the placenta abruption (eg undiagnosed preeclampsia, but a post-mortem would not have found that cause).
I think it will be the cord but what I don’t know about medicine is an awful lot.
I did have a meeting with the delivering consultant who attended after I’d been told she was dead (before they discovered the abruption) afterwards - about a month afterwards. That was useful.
I don’t know if that helps at all. Once again I’m so sorry.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 19/09/2025 18:28

Hello @andanotherproblem I'm very sorry that your baby was stillborn. What a tragedy for you.

I think it sounds like it was the cord which caused your daughter's death, but if it were me, I'd want a postmortem, just to rule out anything else.

SummerFrog25 · 19/09/2025 18:30

I'm so sorry to hear about your baby, that incredibly sad ❤️‍🩹

I would start by asking the delivery team, to see if they can advise in anyway. I'd try to see if it was something that was down to outside factors, rather than something with her.

i hope that makes sense.

lots of hugs & love

BramStoner · 19/09/2025 18:31

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Moreindecision · 19/09/2025 18:45

I'm so sorry for your loss. Take care

Original poster
andanotherproblem · 19/09/2025 20:55

Thank you everyone ❤️ Yes we are getting a post mortem I have heard that Great Ormond street can take up to 12 weeks to release results so for now I’m at peace believing it was the cord that caused the death

OP posts:
gardenershelp · 19/09/2025 20:59

I’m so sorry op ❤️

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 19/09/2025 21:00

I am so sorry for your loss.

XelaM · 19/09/2025 21:06

So sorry for your loss ❤️‍🩹

whereisit1 · 19/09/2025 21:32

So sorry for your loss. Take care

SomeLikeitSnot · 19/09/2025 21:36

I’m so sorry OP that’s tragic. I think I would get a post Mortem- if nothing else for some kind of closure if possible and also if planning a future pregnancy to see if there was anything I could do or if any interventions would reduce the risk.
sending lots of love to you and your family xx

tartyflette · 19/09/2025 21:38

My first baby was stillborn many years ago and we did have a post mortem done but it wasn’t really conclusive.
One possible cause was placental insufficiency although the placenta itself was a good weight and thought to be capable of functioning well.

LasVegass · 19/09/2025 21:48

I am sorry for your loss. It must be so hard, so raw at this time.

I didn’t want a pm but felt pushed into it, let to understand that it wasn’t a real choice. My baby was so perfect and the pm didn’t find any cause.

❤️‍🩹

annlee3817 · 20/09/2025 01:12

So so sorry for your loss xx

Coffeechocolatebooks123 · 20/09/2025 01:12

I am so sorry for your loss

persianfairyfloss · 20/09/2025 01:21

I am so sorry about your loss. My son was born at 36 weeks with the cord wrapped tightly around his ankle. He had died 4 days previously. We were not offered an autopsy as they thought the cause of death was clear.

It's such a shitty thing to go though.

Sparklechoppy · 20/09/2025 01:55

So sorry for your loss 💐x
I've sadly lost 2 babies to stillbirth and for one of those I chose a post mortem and I declined it for the other. I just felt differently both times and for one which I declined, the cause was already known because i had an amino earlier on. I wouldn't say I regret not having for both but I sometimes wonder if I should have. The PM didn't find anything wrong that we didn't already know. I did choose to see her afterwards which was a shock as I wasn't prepared. There is no right choice really in these awful situations.

Gruffporcupine · 05/10/2025 18:20

I'm so sorry you lost your darling girl x

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