Why do stillbirths occur?

One of the main issues that prevents us from understanding why stillbirths occur is that we have trouble collating data on them due to an excessively complex system of classifications.

However, we do have clear ideas of the 5 main causes of stillbirths, and these are:

• Childbirth complications
• Maternal infections
• Maternal conditions (e.g. hypertension, diabetes)
• Foetal growth restriction
• Congenital abnormalities.

Many deaths resulting from these causes are entirely preventable. How do stillbirths affect mothers, families, and communities?