Care of late intrauterine fetal death and stillbirth

Abstract

• A combination of mifepristone and a prostaglandin preparation should usually be recommended as the first-line intervention for induction of labour (Grade B).

• A single 200 milligram dose of mifepristone is appropriate for this indication, followed by:

  • 24⁺⁰–24⁺⁶ weeks of gestation – 400 micrograms buccal/sublingual/vaginal/oral of misoprostol every 3 hours;
  • 25⁺⁰–27⁺⁶ weeks of gestation – 200 micrograms buccal/sublingual/vaginal/oral of misoprostol every 4 hours;
  • from 28⁺⁰ weeks of gestation – 25–50 micrograms vaginal every 4 hours, or 50–100 micrograms oral every 2 hours [Grade C].
• There is insufficient evidence available to recommend a specific regimen of misoprostol for use at more than 28⁺⁰ weeks of gestation in women who have had a previous caesarean birth or transmural uterine scar [Grade D].
• Women with more than two lower segment caesarean births or atypical scars should be advised that the safety of induction of labour is unknown [Grade D].
• Staff should be educated in discussing mode of birth with bereaved parents. Vaginal birth is recommended for most women, but caesarean birth will need to be considered for some [Grade D].
• A detailed informed discussion should be undertaken with parents of both physical and psychological aspects of a vaginal birth versus a caesarean birth [Grade C].
• Parents should be cared for in an environment that provides adequate safety according to individual clinical circumstance, while meeting their needs to grieve and feel supported in doing so (GPP).
• Clinical and laboratory tests should be recommended to assess maternal wellbeing (including coagulopathy) and to determine the cause of fetal death, the chance of recurrence and possible means of avoiding future pregnancy complications [Grade D].
• Parents should be advised that with full investigation (including postmortem and placental histology) a possible or probable cause can be found in up to three-quarters of late intrauterine fetal deaths [Grade B].
• All parents should be offered cytogenetic testing of their baby, which should be performed after written consent is given (GPP).
• Parents should be advised that postmortem examination can provide information that can sometimes be crucial to the management of future pregnancy [Grade B].