Shocking Stillbirth Statistics: 2.6 Million Babies Die In The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy Every Year

Stillbirth, which is the death of a baby in the womb after the 20th week of pregnancy, continues to happen every year all over the world. Based on stillbirth statistics, there has almost been no progress in preventing these tragedies when compared to maternal and child deaths. 

More than a million stillbirths are preventable with improved quality of care, according to a report from The Lancet. It also stated that the annual reduction rate for stillbirths is 2 percent, compared to the annual reduction rate of 3 percent in maternal deaths and 4.5 percent in child deaths.

"We already know which existing interventions save lives," London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine professor Joy Lawn, said in a statement, according to EurekAlert. "These babies should not be born in silence, their parents should not be grieving in silence, and the international community must break the silence as they have done for maternal and child deaths. The message is loud and clear -- shockingly slow progress on stillbirths is unacceptable," the professor continued.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also talked about the dangers of stillbirth and what health officials can do to prevent it. "Childbirth is one of the riskiest moments of life for both mothers and babies. We must make a global push to eliminate the tragedy of the millions of mostly preventable stillbirth deaths that occur every year," Ki-moon said. The UN representative also mentioned the need to focus on constant quality care before, during and after the pregnancy to prevent more cases of stillbirth.

How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy

Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet every day, taking folic acid supplements daily before trying to get pregnant, avoiding drinking alcohol, not taking any illegal drug, avoiding smoking and even second-hand smoke, being careful in taking medications, driving cautiously, always wearing the safety belt when riding vehicles, and avoiding food poisoning and other infections are some of the things a woman can do to make sure her health, as well as the well-being of her baby in the womb, is being well-taken cared of, according to WebMD.

The stillbirth statistics will definitely be reduced if pregnant women will be able to live healthily and such improved quality of care will be given to them by healthcare providers.