Antepartum Fetal Demise: Toward Diagnostic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Management

Venu Jain

doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2025.102959

Antepartum Fetal Demise: Toward Diagnostic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Management

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2025 Jun 26:102959. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2025.102959. Online ahead of print.

Author

Venu Jain¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. Electronic address: venu.jain@albertahealthservices.ca.

PMID: 40571472
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2025.102959

Abstract

Management of women presenting with intrauterine fetal demise is complex, with medical, psychological, emotional and social variables that need careful consideration when determining the best way forward. The need for diagnostic assessment needs to be balanced against the wishes of the grieving patient and family, to allow adequate data collection that can help with insight into the etiology of the stillbirth as well as planning for management of the recurrence risk in a future pregnancy. Multidisciplinary involvement can aid the formulation of a sensitive patient-centred workup plan that can also enhance the evolution of a therapeutic relationship between the patient and the caregivers.

Keywords: autopsy; placental dysfunction; placental growth factor; stillbirth.