Would a doctor request that a pregnant women with a foetus at 12 weeks physically deliver a stillborn?

Question

I was told that a doctor would deliver a stillborn at 12 weeks by induction. But my belief is that you would have the foetus removed surgically.

Answer 1

No, a Cesarean is too risky and an abortion isn't usual. Its usual to expect a woman to have a 'natural' delivery. Its tough on her and the midwives because there is no expectation of a live baby.

Answer 2

Sorry. A stillborn, at any time, is usually delivered vaginally.

It's not a happy time and you hate to have to go through all the labor to deliver a dead baby, but that is the normal way of doing it.

Just know that it will be a little easier because the baby will not be too big. They will also be able to give you some medication to help you with the pain too.

You also have the right to see and hold your baby if you want to. Let them know if you would like to. You can request pictures, a foot print, and lock of hair if the baby has hair. Some hospitals will even hang onto this if you don't want it immediately so that later you can call and get it.

This is your baby and you are the mother. Take the time you need to cry and grieve for your loss. Name you child. You can have him/her baptised too (either call your church and have someone come or you can do it yourself....just take a tiny amount of water and gently drip or pour it over the baby's forehead saying you bless the baby in the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit...I never knew you could do it yourself, but when I worked at the hospital I stopped by church to get some Holy Water so we would have it at the hospital to baptise the babies and our priest told me anyone can do it and it doesn't have to be with Holy Water either).

You also may have your baby burried in a private grave if you wish (you will have to purchase it). Arrangements can be made if you wish to have this. If you don't, then the baby will be burried with other babies that have died also. The hospital will tell you where it will be, but they usually can't tell you when right away. It's usually in a cemetary that has an area called "baby land" or something similar. They handle all of those arrangements then.

Most hospitals will have someone (usually a nurse) that is experienced in stillborn births. They can counsel you through it and will know all of this information. Just ask when you get admitted to the hospital if they have someone.

It is not going to be easy for you. Have your husband/boyfriend there with you and anyone else that you feel you need. Ask any questions that you have.

Good luck to you and I'm so sorry for your loss. I'll say a prayer for all of you.
Blessings.

Answer 3

at 12 weeks I don't understand why a doctor would want to deliver the baby stillborn. I would think it would be removed surgically. A woman that is 12 weeks pregnant is not far enough along to have to go through the mental and physical pain of having a still born child.

Answer 4

A fetus at 12 weeks gestation is still quite small. It would be your doctor's prerogitive as to whether or not they would do a D&C but either way you would expell the stillbirth vaginally. It would most likely be a very heavy period with large clots in it for 2-3 days. It would be nothing like an actual labor and delivery. Your doctor would give you pain medication for the cramping but no induction would be needed.

Answer 5

You would have to deliver it. There is a way they can do it that is like an abortion, but it's only done in certain instances. I delivered a still born boy at 19.5 weeks. 12 weeks, the baby is still pretty small. It would suprise me if they didn't just to a D&C to clean out all the tissue instead of delivery.

Answer 6

It is more natural for your body to give birth by induction. It is safer with less problems down the road that can occur with abortion..or d+c yes that is standard practice..My friend gave birth to stillborns at 17 weeks no it is not pleasant but is better for her and her body...

Answer 7

It wouldn't be a caesarean but they may well carry out a dilation and evacuation. I think you should discuss this with your doctor because if they feel it would cause the mother undue stress to miscarry a fetus they would be able to remove it surgically through a D&C.

Answer 8

it may be a state law or a rule of the doc. I was induced at 20 weeks with my daughter who was stillborn due to an umbilical cord accident

Answer 9

they used to remove a foetus but now medical experts believe it to be safer and less complicated to give birth with inducement, this also protects the womb from any permanent damage.

Answer 10

I would have thought that you would have a d+c at that stage. I think it would still be far too small to 'deliver'. It's only about 3 inch long and 1oz in weight.