Intrauterine fetal death

Sadly, intrauterine fetal death is a common occurrence and one that all labour ward personnel should be trained to manage. Recent advances have improved the likelihood of identifying a cause. The key to this is a logical and methodical approach to investigation. Postmortem examination remains a critical aspect of investigation and labour ward teams require a clear understanding of the legal aspects of this. Sympathetic and supportive care of parents should respect parental wishes and allow choice wherever possible. However, maternal safety should also be a central aspect of this care.