Stillbirth Risk
Estimate your stillbirth risk at term based on maternal age, race, BMI, parity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and obstetric history. Free online stillbirth risk assessment tool based on NIH research data.
Medical Conditions
Lifestyle Factors
Obstetric History
About This Calculator
The Stillbirth Risk Calculator helps estimate the risk of stillbirth at term (37+ weeks of gestation) based on maternal demographic characteristics, medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and obstetric history. This tool is designed for pregnant individuals and healthcare providers who want to understand how various risk factors contribute to stillbirth risk using evidence-based hazard ratios from the NIH Consortium on Safe Labor study.
The calculation uses adjusted hazard ratios derived from a large retrospective cohort study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (Reddy et al., 2010) that analyzed 712 singleton antepartum stillbirths compared to 174,097 singleton live births across 10 U.S. clinical centers. The baseline term stillbirth risk for women with no risk factors (White, age 25-29, normal BMI, multiparous, no diabetes or hypertension) is 0.8 per 1,000 ongoing pregnancies. Each risk factor multiplies this baseline by its adjusted hazard ratio — for example, preexisting diabetes increases the risk by 2.7 times, while chronic hypertension increases it by 2.0 times. The combined risk is the product of all applicable hazard ratios multiplied by the baseline risk.
Regional Notes — Stillbirth Rate by Country: Stillbirth rates vary significantly worldwide. The baseline risk used in this calculator reflects U.S. population data (approximately 6.2 per 1,000 births, 1 in 160). In the United Kingdom, the stillbirth rate is approximately 3.4 per 1,000 births (1 in 294). In India, the stillbirth rate ranges from 4 to 22 per 1,000 births depending on region and socioeconomic factors, with a national average of approximately 4 per 1,000. The Healthy People 2010 target for the U.S. stillbirth rate was 4.1 per 1,000 births. This calculator provides a relative risk estimate; local baseline rates may differ and should be interpreted with guidance from a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stillbirth and miscarriage?
Miscarriage refers to pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation, while stillbirth refers to fetal death at or after 20 weeks of gestation. Stillbirth can further be classified as early (20-27 weeks), late (28-36 weeks), or term (37+ weeks).
How common is stillbirth in the United States?
In the United States, stillbirth affects approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies. The baseline risk for a woman with no risk factors (White, age 25-29, normal BMI, multiparous, no diabetes or hypertension) is about 0.8 per 1,000 ongoing pregnancies at term. Worldwide, the rate is approximately 1 in 72 pregnancies.
What are the main risk factors for stillbirth?
Key risk factors identified by NIH research include Black or Hispanic race, maternal age 35 or older, prepregnancy obesity (BMI ≥30), nulliparity (first pregnancy), preexisting diabetes, chronic hypertension, smoking during pregnancy, alcohol use during pregnancy, prior preterm birth, and prior cesarean delivery. The adjusted hazard ratios range from 1.2 (nulliparity) to 2.7 (preexisting diabetes).
How is stillbirth risk calculated?
Our calculator uses adjusted hazard ratios from the NIH Consortium on Safe Labor study (2010) which analyzed 712 antepartum stillbirths compared to 174,097 live births. The baseline term stillbirth risk of 0.8 per 1,000 is multiplied by the hazard ratio of each applicable risk factor to compute the combined adjusted risk.
Can stillbirth be prevented?
While not all stillbirths can be prevented, certain modifiable risk factors can be addressed: quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol during pregnancy, maintaining a healthy pre-pregnancy weight, proper management of diabetes and hypertension, and regular prenatal care. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
What is the stillbirth rate in India and the UK?
Stillbirth rates vary globally. In India, the stillbirth rate is approximately 4 per 1,000 births, though rates differ by region and socioeconomic status. In the UK, the stillbirth rate is about 3.4 per 1,000 births, with significant reductions achieved through focused public health initiatives. In the US, the rate is approximately 6.2 per 1,000 births.
When should I see a doctor about stillbirth risk?
You should discuss stillbirth risk with your healthcare provider if you have any of the following: advanced maternal age (35+), preexisting diabetes or hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥30), a history of prior stillbirth or preterm birth, or if you smoke or drink alcohol during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend additional antenatal surveillance including fetal movement counting, non-stress tests, or biophysical profiles.