Pregnancy outcome after previous stillbirth resulting from causes other than maternal conditions and fetal abnormalities

Background: An adequate fetomaternal circulatory system may be compromised by a variety of disturbances leading to stillbirth. The purpose of this stu dy was to assess subsequent pregnancy outcome in women with? a history of s tillbirth as a result of causes other than maternal conditions and fetal ab normalities. Methods: Ninety-two deliveries after stillbirth were identifie d among 11,910 deliveries of parous women recorded in the birth registry at Kuopio, Finland. Using logistic regression, pregnancy outcome measures wer e compared with those of a parous healthy obstetric population (n = 11,818) . Results: Women with a history of stillbirth as a result of causes other t han maternal conditions and fetal abnormalities were older than their unaff ected controls (32.4 yr vs 30.3 yr). Stillbirth in an earlier pregnancy was associated with a significantly higher (p < 0.001) frequency of placental abruption in subsequent pregnancy, (5.4% vs 0.7%). A history of stillbirth was predictive of preterm delivery! (OR = 2.25) and low-birthweight infants (OR = 2.70). No recurrence was reported Conclusions: Pregnancy with a hist ory of stillbirth as a result of causes other than maternal conditions and fetal abnormalities is a moderate risk state, with prematurity and low-birt hweight rates somewhat higher than those in the general population. The ove rall probability of a favorable outcome is good. These findings may, be use ful in counseling pregnant women with a history of stillbirth.