How Does Maternal Health Influence the Incidence of Pregnancy Loss and Stillbirth?

Maternal health has a direct role in the incidence of pregnancy loss and stillbirth, most notably through the influence of several factors. While this does not mean that the mother caused the pregnancy loss, it is important to acknowledge that the mother’s health can affect the outcome of the pregnancy. Common factors that influence pregnancy loss and stillbirth include: 

• Pre-existing medical conditions 
• Prenatal care 
• Maternal age 
• Lifestyle choices 
• Healthcare access 
• Socioeconomic factors 

Pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes can increase the risk of pregnancy complications, especially if they are not effectively managed. Once a pregnancy has been identified, maintaining regular check-ups and screenings enables healthcare providers to discover potential health concerns early enough to provide the necessary interventions to support the well-being of mother and child. 

Advanced maternal age has been found to be correlated with stillbirth and pregnancy loss. Advanced maternal age, generally defined as pregnancy at 35 years or older, has been found to be correlated with stillbirth and pregnancy loss. This increased risk is primarily associated with biological factors, such as the development of chromosomal abnormalities. Furthermore, advancing age is also associated with a higher prevalence of underlying maternal health conditions.

Separately, modifiable lifestyle choices and environmental factors can have a significant impact on maternal and fetal health, resulting in an increased risk of complications. Smoking, alcohol, and substance use often have a direct association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, factors such as poor nutrition, high stress levels, and exposure to environmental toxins are also recognized contributors. 

Healthcare access is another pivotal factor in relation to pregnancy loss and stillbirth. For some pregnant women, access is compromised because there are very few medical facilities within the community, prenatal care is not an option at available facilities, or only basic care is offered to patients. Similarly, there may be limitations based on whether patients have private, public, or no insurance coverage. Minimal healthcare access is often adjacent to the socioeconomic factors that influence the incidence of pregnancy loss, such as inadequate nutrition, poverty, status or position, educational attainment, and more. 

In consideration of these factors, efforts to reduce the incidence of pregnancy loss and stillbirth should include a greater focus on addressing and improving maternal health. Providing education regarding healthy lifestyle choices, increasing access to healthcare services, and ensuring the availability of comprehensive prenatal care are all actions that can proactively address maternal health outcomes. Additionally, focusing on providing more widespread support that is inclusive of individuals from marginalized groups can further reduce the prevalence of pregnancy loss.

Sources

“Pregnancy Loss (Before 20 Weeks of Pregnancy)”. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/factsheets/pregnancyloss 

“Advanced Maternal Age”. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22438-advanced-maternal-age 

“March of Dimes Research Shows Access to Care Worsening for Millions”. March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.org/about/news/march-dimes-research-shows-access-to-care-worsening-millions